Posted on 11/28/2006 4:41:07 PM PST by NormsRevenge
The former treasurer of the city of South Gate was sentenced Tuesday to 10 years in federal prison for extracting nearly $2 million in bribes from contractors and sharing the money with family and friends.
Albert Robles, 41, was taken into custody immediately after his sentencing. He was also ordered by U.S. District Judge Stephen V. Wilson to pay back more than $600,000 to the city in southeast Los Angeles County.
Robles was convicted in July 2005 of five counts of bribery, four counts of money laundering and 21 counts of defrauding citizens of South Gate.
Prosecutors depicted the city as a corrupt fiefdom in which Robles solicited bribes from contractors and was able to hire and fire city employees at will. The illicit money paid for everything from a seaside condo for his mother to an exclusive membership in the group operated by motivational guru Tony Robbins, authorities said.
In a rambling statement in court, Robles suggested he was guilty of arrogance and pomposity but not criminal acts.
"My activities were not illegal," he said at one point.
Prosecutors have estimated the corruption cost the city as much as $20 million.
"He turned it into a pay-to-play town," Assistant U.S. Attorney David Vaughn said outside court, alluding to a scheme in which contractors were forced to pay bribes for city business.
Much of the evidence against Robles came from a New Jersey financial consultant who offered testimony in hopes of receiving a more lenient sentence. He told jurors he frequently distributed kickbacks in the form of checks to family and friends of Robles.
Last year Robbins agreed to refund $45,000 in taxpayer money - most of what Robles spent on the membership to his organization.
Judge Wilson, 1985 Reagan appointee
Merry Christmas, Albert...and Happy New Year too!
Hmmm. Appears Mr. Robles was not affiliated with any political party. One of those non-political Californians we're always hearing about.
Last year Robbins agreed to refund $45,000 in taxpayer money - most of what Robles spent on the membership to his organization.
What kind of organization does Robbins run that calls for more than $45,000 for a membership?
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