St. Johns Commissioner Faces Bribery Charges
Posted on Saturday, 18 of October , 2008 at 8:58 pm
JACKSONVILLE, FLA—The chairman of the St. Johns County Commission has been indicted for two counts of bribery.
Thomas G. Manuel, 63, of Ponte Vedra Beach, turned himself in Thursday afternoon and was released on $50,000 bond after making his initial appearance in federal court in Jacksonville. He was arraigned and pleaded not guilty.
Gov. Charlie Crist suspended Manuel from office Friday, issuing an order which bars him from serving until the charges are resolved.
After he was indicted, Manuel had announced he was taking a leave of absence from the commission due to health problems and the effects on his family. Prior to taking office in 2006, Manuel had a heart transplant.
The allegations against Manuel are vague with little detail. According to the indictment, on April 10 and June 5, Manuel, while serving on the St. Johns County Commission, “knowingly and corruptly solicited, demanded, accepted and agreed to accept something of value, namely $10,000 and $50,000 respectively, intending to be influenced in connection with business before the St. Johns County Commission”.
Manuel faces a maximum 20-year prison sentence and $500,000 in fines, if convicted as charged. 10-18-08
Category: Courts, Crime, Florida, Government, Politics
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