Last 2 figures in Dallas City Hall bribe case sentenced to 14 and 3 years, respectively

Two more defendants in the Dallas City Hall corruption scandal were sentenced to prison Monday in the case that U.S. District Judge Barbara Lynn called "sordid and tawdry."

"How sad it was for the city and community I love," Lynn lamented before sentencing Darren Reagan, self-styled chairman of the Black State Employees Association of Texas, to 14 years in prison for his role in the scheme to extort money from a developer in exchange for favors from then-Mayor Pro Tem Don Hill.

Rickey Robertson, a businessman and car dealer, was sentenced to three years in prison for conspiracy to commit extortion.

Lynn dropped one count against Robertson after ruling that there wasn't enough evidence to show that he knew that funds he received as part of the scheme were from an illegal source.

On Friday evening, Hill, his wife, Sheila Farrington Hill, and D'Angelo Lee, Hill's appointee to the City Plan Commission, were sentenced. Hill received 18 years, Farrington Hill nine years, and Lee 14 years.

During the months-long trial that ended in October, jurors heard how Hill and his co-defendants were bribed by the owners of Southwest Housing Development Co., Brian and Cheryl Potashnik, through sham business contracts. The Potashniks pleaded guilty.

Throughout proceedings Friday and Monday, defense attorneys kept pointing out that those who entered guilty pleas were expecting lower sentences, an argument that held little sway for Lynn.

"That's our system," she said.

Neither Reagan nor Robertson showed any reaction to their sentences, which Lynn stressed were less than the federal guidelines allowed. Both men had asked the judge for leniency, expressing sorrow for their actions while citing their deep religious faith, their family support and lessons learned.

Reagan, 50, who was released from prison a few months ago on a charge of stealing from the Dallas Housing Authority, told the judge in a lengthy statement that he was a changed man.

"I stand before you humble, remorseful. I've cried as much as I can cry, and I've asked for forgiveness as much as I can ask forgiveness," he said.

Reagan's employee association was a front for the shakedown schemes. It didn't represent any employees.

Reagan was also ordered to pay $112,500 in restitution to Fisher.

Prosecutors did give Reagan one piece of good news Monday: They plan to drop a tax case against him. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chad Meacham said tax counts against Don Hill would also be dismissed.

Unlike the other defendants in the case, Reagan did not present letters from supporters or character witnesses, saying he asked his family and friends to stay home Monday because "this is about me and my actions."

In contrast, about three dozen people stood up en masse as a gesture of support for Robertson, including his wife and sister.

Robertson sat through much of the hearing with his head bowed, hands clasped in front of him. When a friend related how Robertson persuaded him to return to church, Robertson reached for a box of tissues and wiped his eyes.

At his attorney's direction, Robertson's wife, Faith, sat by his side and held his hand.

When he stood before the judge, Robertson apologized "for being in this situation."

"I'm a veteran and a taxpayer, and I look for new investments and new business deals," Robertson said. "I didn't do my due diligence, and that's what got me here today."

One more defendant is facing trial in the case, which has taken years to wind its way through the criminal justice system. No trial date has been set yet for Ronald Slovacek on one count of conspiracy to commit bribery, one count of bribery and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Prosecutor Meacham declined to comment after the sentencing hearing, but after Reagan's plea for lenience he stood up and simply told the judge, "The worst that can happen at this case is a few public officials go to jail and nothing changes."

Reagan's attorney, Ted Steinke, said his client planned to appeal, "but we respect the judge's decision."

Both Reagan and Robertson are to report to prison April 27. What's next MARCH 19

Kevin Dean, Andrea Spencer, John Lewis and Allen McGill, who face three to five years in prison, will be sentenced. They pleaded guilty to helping former Mayor Pro Tem Don Hill and Plan Commissioner D'Angelo Lee funnel money from developers in exchange for votes. All four testified at last year's corruption trial in which Hill, Lee, Sheila Farrington Hill, Darren Reagan and Rickey Robertson were found guilty.

APRIL 2

State Rep. Terri Hodge, D-Dallas, will be sentenced. She faces up to three years in prison after pleading guilty on Feb. 3 to failing to pay taxes on $74,000 in income from 2001 to 2005. That income was mostly bribes from prominent developers Brian and Cheryl Potashnik. At the sentencing hearing, prosecutors plan to show that the Potashniks let Hodge live at one of their Dallas housing complexes and paid her rent and utilities and bought her carpet in exchange for political support. Hodge, who agreed to resign after 14 years in the Texas House, also used campaign contributions for personal gain, prosecutors say.

MAY 7

Brian Potashnik, who faces a maximum of about 3 ½ years, will be sentenced. He pleaded guilty to paying Hill and Lee bribes in exchange for their votes in support of lucrative tax credits. Cheryl Potashnik also pleaded guilty and will be sentenced. She faces up to 16 months in prison for giving Hodge rent and utility money as bribes. Jibreel Rashad, convicted Feb. 10 of conspiring with Hill and others to extort money from a developer, will be sentenced the same day. He faces up to 20 years.

Pending

Contempt ruling: Hill and his attorney, Ray Jackson, are awaiting U.S. District Judge Barbara Lynn's decision on whether they violated her gag order before last year's trial. Jackson and Hill, also a lawyer, gave interviews days before jury selection in which they criticized the FBI's investigation. Days earlier, Lynn ordered them not to make public statements meant to sway potential jurors. If found guilty of contempt, both men face up to six months in prison and the loss of their law licenses.

One more trial: Lynn has yet to set a trial date for Denton County businessman Ronald Slovacek, accused of helping Hill and Lee in the shakedown scheme.