'Oh Jesus!': Corrupt Businessman Crumples After Getting 3-Year Prison Sentence

DETROIT (WWJ/AP) - An Atlanta businessman had a dramatic reaction to his sentence after pleading guilty to paying bribes in 2007 to get investments from Detroit pension funds.

Roy Dixon Jr., 52, screamed "Oh, Jesus!" Wednesday and stumbled into a federal court lectern in Detroit after learning he will spend three years in prison.

Prosecutors have said Dixon paid more than $244,000 in bribes and cost pension funds more than $23 million in a business deal.

Defense attorney Edward Wishnow said Dixon "was emotional, he was disappointed" at the sentence.

He testified for the government in Detroit City Hall corruption investigations. Prosecutors said he gave cash to a pension board trustee and paid for a family vacation.

In all, Detroit's pension fund lost more than $95 million in a series of corrupt deals awarded to businessmen who bribed officials with cash, trips, free drinks and other valuable items, according to a report in the Detroit News.

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