Friday, January 29, 2010

County commissioner sentenced on bribery charges

The Associated Press
The suspended chairman of the St. Johns County Commission has been sentenced to 21 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to taking a bribe.

Tom Manuel pleaded in July to accepting $60,000 from a developer to support a county land purchase. He told Judge Timothy Corrigan on Thursday financial desperation over heart transplant-related medical bills caused him to take the bribe and "throw away" his values.

Corrigan allowed Manuel to remain free after his sentencing on Thursday until federal officials can find a prison to accommodate his medical needs.

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