NO MOE BRIBERY CHARGES
According to the
Associated Press, federal bribery charges against former
Moe’s government case was
dismantled in two steps before reaching a U.S. District Court jury could hear
the closing arguments regarding a $109,000 loan to former mayor of
According to the
Associated Press, federal bribery charges against former
Moe’s government case was
dismantled in two steps before reaching a U.S. District Court jury could hear
the closing arguments regarding a $109,000 loan to former mayor of
The
judge threw out the second charge after hearing from five defense witnesses,
which involved an $18,000 loan to Perry in 2002.
Moe
and Perry were jointly indicted in October 2004. Last month, Perry pleaded guilty
to accepting a bribe. Prosecutors agreed in exchange to drop three other
charges and to recommend a light sentence if he turned witness against Moe.
Perry
testified Moe never ever asked for anything in return for the two loans but
admitted that in his plea agreement he admitted being "corruptly
influenced" as a public official.
The
government argued that the loans were made to induce Perry to lead a campaign
against an admission tax.
The
Airway Heights City Council announced an admission tax beginning in November
2003 and then removed it the next March. The $109,000 loan was made the
following October.