PENNSYLVANIA
A federal judge sentenced a Wyncote, Pennsylvania man to more than 10 years in prison for participating in a bribery conspiracy involving the former Sheriff of Philadelphia, according to officials.
U.S. District Judge Wendy Beetlestone sentenced James Davis, 68, the owner of multiple advertising and title firms.
The judge also ordered Davis to pay $ 872,395.83 in restitution and to forfeit $1,718,540.
On April 3, 2018, after a six-week jury trial, Davis was convicted of conspiracy, honest services fraud, and tax offenses.
“James Davis used his wealth to line the pockets of the former Sheriff of Philadelphia in a corrupt exchange for contracts and business,” said Assistant Attorney General Brian Benczkowski. “Today’s sentence should deter both public officials and would-be bribe payers from engaging in corruption of any kind.”
“There’s an old saying that you have to spend money to make money,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Harpster. “Certainly, this is not the way to do it. James Davis brazenly bought off then-Sheriff Green in order to boost his businesses. This illicit quid pro quo deprived Philadelphians of the honest services they expect and deserve from those who hold elected office. The FBI is committed to fighting such corruption, which does real and lasting damage to the public trust.”
According to the evidence, Davis, in exchange for receiving, maintaining and increasing business with the Sheriff’s office, gave former Sheriff John Green bribes and personal benefits totaling over $675,000.
The bribes and benefits include:
- Purchasing and renovating a home and selling the home at a loss to Green hiring
- Hiring Green’s wife as a sub-contractor
- Facilitating over $65,000 in hidden campaign contributions to Green’s 2007 re-election campaign
- Paying $148,000 in campaign advertising for Green’s 2007 re-election campaign
- Paying Green over $300,000 in gifts and interest-free loans.
In exchange, the evidence presented at trial showed that Green helped Davis maintain and increase his business with the Sheriff’s Office, specifically, business involving sheriff’s sales of foreclosed property.
From approximately 2002 through 2010, Davis’ companies received over $35 million from the Philadelphia Sheriff’s office from the sheriff’s sales business.
Additionally, the evidence presented at trial revealed that Davis also filed false 2007 business and personal tax returns, and failed to file personal tax returns for 2008, 2009, and 2010.