Judge to Masilotti: Yes, that $50,000 was a ‘kickback’
by George Bennett | March 10th, 2011
Masilotti in 2007
Former Palm Beach County Commissioner Tony Masilotti took a kickback when he collected $50,000 in gambling chips for using his political clout to persuade the Diocese of Palm Beach to sell 50 acres to a secret businesss partner, a judge ruled Wednesday.
Newell
, Masilotti wanted his honest services fraud conviction overturned — and an $8 million parcel of forfeited land given back to him — after the U.S. Supreme Court last year ruled that prosecutors must prove an official took bribes or kickbacks to be convicted of honest services fraud.
McCarty
U.S. District Judge Kenneth Ryskamp rejected Masilotti’s arguments Wednesday.
Another former county commissioner and convicted honest services fraudster, Warren Newell, is also appealing his honest services fraud conviction. A third commissioner-turned-convict, Mary McCarty, has indicated she won’t challenge her honest services fraud conviction.
Tags: Corruption County, honest services fraud, Mary McCarty, Tony Masilotti, Warren Newell
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March 10th, 2011 at 8:12 am
The western communities continue to suffer from the deals that Masilotti made.
March 10th, 2011 at 8:44 am
Oh well good try.
March 10th, 2011 at 9:47 am
@ Outwest. How exactly are the western communities continueing to suffer. Say what you want but Tony Massilotti was a damn good commissioner and fought for his constituents than all the other commissioners combined.Its seem that all of Tonys enemies are mostly online posting negative things about him. When Im in conversation at Church, Little league, High school football games etc and Tonys name comes up all I hear is how they wish Tony was still commissioner. The man’s done his time for what quite frankly was a BS charge give the man a break.