Stay Tuned: The Verdict Is In! (Update: Don Hill's Guilty of Extortion, Bribery and More)
Categories: Crime
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| Sam Merten |
| Four of the five co-defendants, from left to right: D'Angelo Lee, Sheila Hill, Darren Reagan and Don Hill |
Update at 10:38 a.m.: It's unanimous on all counts. Further updates in comments, as the jury's just come back in to deliver the verdict.
Update at 11:02 am.: Found Sam -- he was in the courtroom, not the overflow.
So, yes, he's just called in to report what's been stated in the comments below: Don Hill's been convicted on seven of the nine counts against him, including conspiracy to commit bribery, bribery, several counts of extortion and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. D'Angelo Lee was found guilty across the board, while Sheila Farrington-Hill was found guilty on five counts and not guilty on one other. Ricky Robertson was convicted for money laundering and conspiracy to commit extortion. And Darren Reagan was found guilty of conspiracy to commit extortion and for aiding and abetting in extortion by public officials.
But the jury's not done: Sam says the government is seeking forfeiture of the Hill's assets as sanctions for being found guilty of conspiracy to commit bribery, conspiracy to commit extortion and conspiracy to commit money laundering. That decision is expected to come down in a few minutes.
Update at 11:24 a.m.: Sam reports back that there's a hearing on December 8, during which Judge Lynn will set a sentencing date. Sam's got interviews and photos forthcoming. But he does offer this detail: After walking out of the courtroom, D'Angelo Lee went over to hug Sheila Farrington-Hill. He kissed her on the cheek, then told her, "It ain't over." To which she responded, "I know."
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