Schmitz's trial is set for April 7. This is the same date as Ms. Palfrey's case....
State legislator accused of fraud in youth program
The attorney for indicted state Rep. Sue Schmitz vows to "aggressively and vigorously" fight the charges the government has levied against the Toney Democrat.
Schmitz, 63, pleaded not guilty Friday to a nine-count federal indictment charging her with mail fraud and theft.
Federal prosecutors say the charges stem from Schmitz's involvement with the Community Intensive Training for Youth (CITY) Program, a federally funded program, in Huntsville.
"We think the indictment is hollow and not worth the paper it is written on," attorney Jake Watson said Monday. "Sue Schmitz is completely innocent of these charges."
The CITY Program operated in 10 locations throughout Alabama and sought to develop social, behavioral, and academic skills possessed by at-risk youth. Students were referred to the CITY Program through the juvenile court system.
The federal charges state that Schmitz held the title of program coordinator for community and external affairs at the CITY Program from January 2003 to October 2006. Schmitz received about $177,251.82 in salary and benefits, despite performing little or no work, according to the indictment.
The government also seeks forfeiture of the gains Schmitz received through her alleged criminal conduct.
The arraignment hearing Friday was originally scheduled for Monday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Harwell G. Davis III in Huntsville. But Schmitz requested the earlier hearing because Watson has a capital murder trial this week in Decatur.
Schmitz is free on a $25,000 unsecured bond. The maximum sentence for mail fraud is 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. The maximum sentence for fraud involving a program receiving federal funds is 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.
The trial is scheduled to start April 7 before U.S. District Judge R. David Proctor.
Watson said there will be no compromise as the case gets closer to trial.
"We are going to fight it as aggressively and vigorously as humanly possible," he said. "Unlike the government, we plan to try this case in the courthouse and not in the media."
1 comment:
A thinking person could only ask by the State didn't bring charges?
If a crime was committed with State funds where to the Feds come in. Is this another set up for false prosecution by Republicans to remove Democrats? Is this Bush Appointed Judge being paid off too? Now with all the admitted crimes by the White House and their appointees, ex Attorney General and every Department Head Appointed by Bush/Cheney is anyone going to charge them with the crimes they openly committed or are Americans going to sit back and watch innocent people get their lives destroyed by lies and crooks. We have no Attorney General as Musk Rat is just stalling for the clock to run out. Bush/Cheney make Saddam look like a saint.
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