Fmr. Lauderdale Vice Mayor Released From Jail
FT. LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) – Thursday really was 'Independence Day' for one former city official.
Former Ft. Lauderdale Vice Mayor Cindi Hutchinson walked out of Broward's jail after serving a little more than half of her sentence, according to the Sun-Sentinel.
Hutchinson, who pleaded guilty to unlawful compensation and official misconduct, was sentenced to four months in jail as a part of plea deal with prosecutors. After serving two months and 20 days she was released.
The percentage of time served before she was released was average to what most inmates serve if they follow the rules and behave appropriately, according to the paper.
Hutchinson will now serve five years of probation.
Hutchinson reportedly accepted gifts contractors which totaled in $14,000 in value.
Hutchinson allegedly renovated her home using developers who received zoning changes from the city while she was a commissioner.
According to her arrest warrant, Hutchinson accepted fences, pavers, fence repair, air conditioning repairs and other work from subcontractors from the La Preserve and Georgian Oaks development projects at the direction of Steven Goldstrom and Glenn Wright.
This happened after Hutchinson voted on rezoning approval for the Georgian Oaks and La Preserve development projects, which were located in her district. She then failed to list the gifts and services on state-required gift-disclosure forms.
