Delay sought in Gwinnett corruption sentencing
The U.S. Attorney's Office has asked a judge to delay the sentencing of former Gwinnett County Commissioner Shirley Lasseter, her son and a Hall County businessman as a corruption investigation continues.
The office on Friday asked for a delay of at least 30 days, citing to the need to "facilitate matters related to the defendants' cooperation" in the ongoing investigation. Lasseter and the other defendants currently are scheduled to be sentenced Aug. 6.
Court records indicate the defendants' attorneys do not object to the delay. If the delay is granted, Gwinnett County residents and officials would remain on tenterhooks as they await possible further damning revelations in a county that already has been rocked by multiple corruption allegations.
On May 31 Lasseter pleaded guilty to a federal bribery charge, admitting she agreed to sell her vote on a real estate development to an undercover FBI agent posing as a businessman. Her son, John Fanning, and Hall County businessman Carl "Skip" Cain also pleaded guilty to bribery and drug charges.
About the Author
David Wickert writes about the state budget, finance and voting issues. Previously, he covered local government and politics in Gwinnett and Fulton counties. Before moving to Atlanta, he worked at newspapers in Illinois, Tennessee, Virginia and Washington.
