Sunday, November 18, 2007

Prosecutor: Sheriff sentence too light

But...He Was Proud To "Serve" Broward County

Fort Lauderdale - "Former Broward Sheriff Ken Jenne got off easier than he should have when he was sentenced today to a year and a day in prison, the federal prosecutor's office said.

"Today, another high-ranking public official who misused his office and breached the public trust has been sentenced to jail," said U.S. Attorney Alex Acosta in a statement e-mailed to media. "We believe that a higher sentence would have been more appropriate... If as a community, we believe that public corruption and white collar crimes cause as much harm as violent crime, we must insist on significant terms of imprisonment for public and corporate criminals."

Broward's former top cop pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud conspiracy and three counts of income tax evasion in September. In the plea agreement he reached with prosecutors, Jenne admitted he accepted more than $151,625 in improper payments, income and other benefits from Sheriff's Office contractors, including money funneled through his secretaries and payments on a Mercedes convertible from his former law firm, Conrad, Scherer & Jenne.

The sentencing hearing began around 9:30 and continued through the morning, with Jenne's supporters portraying him as an extraordinary but flawed man who sacrificed his family's welfare for his love of public service.

Federal prosecutors, meanwhile, painted him as a man who repeatedly abused his public office for personal gain, lied about it when he was caught and prolonged the expensive investigation of his crimes."

As Ahab points out, this is the same little weasel who participated in the See-BS hit on assault rifles. Good to see he's going where he belongs. And, having pled guilty to several felonies, the diminutive ex-sheriff may never own a gun again. Not even an assault rifle.

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