Developers Sentenced In Dallas City Hall Scandal
DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - The real estate development couple that pled guilty to bribery charges in the Dallas City Hall scandal learned their punishment Friday.
The bribery-extortion case involved developers Brian and Cheryl Potashnik, former Dallas mayor pro-tem Don Hill, his former girlfriend-turned-wife Sheila Farrington-Hill, Hill's former appointed plan commissioner D'Angelo Lee and State Representative Terri Hodge of Dallas, among others.
On Friday a judge sentenced Brian Potashnik to 14 months in federal prison, but recommended he serve the time at a facility in North Texas.
When handing down the fine amount, the judge said because of the amount of money he profited from, on two specific projects, Brian Potashnik must pay the City of Dallas $1.25 million and the U.S. District Court $50,000.
Earlier Friday, the judge ordered Brian Potashnik's wife, Cheryl, probation for her role in the case. The judge said the sentence came because of the good work she had done in the community in the past.
Cheryl and Brian Potashnik admitted paying money in exchange for winning required approval for their real estate projects. The developers received lucrative tax credits to build the developments.
While Cheryl Potashnik will remain on probation for two years and has to pay a $50,000 fine to the U.S. District Court Clerk, she received no community service. The judge said that decision was made in the hope that she would continue to do good work as she had in the past.
The Potashniks admitted to, among other things, providing free rent for former State Rep. Terri Hodge at an apartment complex they developed. Hodge agreed to take a plea in the corruption case and in April of 2010 was sentenced to 12 months in prison for making false statements by failing to report taxes on her personal income tax return.
