Posted on 11/29/2005 12:34:02 PM PST by ncountylee
AUGUSTA — A federal judge Tuesday sentenced former Senate Majority Leader Charles Walker to more than 10 years in prison and ordered him to pay a $150,000 fine and $698,000 in restitution.
The Augusta Democrat received 121 months in prison, and his companies were fined $70,000 in the fraud and theft case. He and the companies also were ordered to pay $80,000 in court fees.
U.S. District Judge Dudley Bowen said he wanted to "send a message to other would-be corrupt politicians."
Walker stole at least $425,000 from a charity he created and bilked newspaper advertisers out of another $200,000, according to a sentencing report being used to help determine how much time he would serve in prison.
Walker was convicted June 3 of stealing from the charity he set up, of bilking his newspaper's advertisers by inflating circulation numbers, of strong-arming Atlanta's Grady Memorial Hospital into using his personnel services business, and of misrepresenting his ownership in companies doing business with the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta.
Prosecutors argued that at least part of the reason Walker, a millionaire, needed so much money was to feed a gambling habit.
He was suspended from office when he was convicted June 3 on 127 counts, including mail fraud, tax evasion and conspiracy.
Each of the more than 100 mail fraud charges Walker was convicted of carried a maximum penalty of five years in prison and up to a $250,000 fine.
Under federal rules, a sentence longer than 10 years must be served in its entirety.
Walker's daughter, Monique Walker Hill, pleaded guilty to filing false tax returns in the case. She has not been sentenced.
SUBSCRIPTION
Holy Cow!!!
They mentioned that he was a Democrat IN THE SECOND SENTENCE!!!
I don't believe this story. I haven't seen it on CNN so therefore I know it is not true.
sarc^off
"Walker's daughter, Monique Walker Hill, pleaded guilty to filing false tax returns in the case. She has not been sentenced."
How nice... he dragged his daughter into it. What a peach of a guy.
I think this guy's corruption caused his son Champ Walker to lose his bid for Congress in a seat gerrymandered for him by his Dad.
Wonder if he's going to a real federal prison, or one of the Club Feds like where I used to work?
The guy's scum.
He and Duke Cunningham should share a cell.
A 10-year sentence makes him ineligible for a minimum-security prison.
Seen any Pelosi or DNC statements?
Feints . . .
Charles Walker is black, and as the owner of a weekly newspaper, obtained advertising revenue from major retailers by political/racial pressure and inflated circulation figures, among other crimes. This makes two down and one to go for Augusta, GA. First was Robin Williams (no relation to the comedien), an ex state house representative (R) who bilked the local mental health facility with numerous schemes and kickbacks. Next up will be Linda Shrenko, past state superintendent for schools (R), who raided that institution for personal gain and to finance a run for governor.
But,but, but Randy Cunningham CORRUPTION.
Williams and Shrenko should go even if Republican.
Of course you only hear about the guy in San Diego because he's a Republican.
Another sordid episode in the history of the democrat party, the culture of corruption!
Culture of Corruption. Dorgan, Berger, Clinton/Peter Paul, Pelosi, Schumers Plumbers.
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