Former Levy County Commissioner Sentenced to 33 Months for Bribery, False Statements

GAINESVILLE, FL—Former Levy County Commissioner, William Samuel “Sammy” Yearty, 64, of Gulf Hammock, Florida was sentenced yesterday to 33 months in federal prison for solicitation of bribes, conspiracy to commit that offense, and making false statements during the course of a federal investigation, said Thomas F. Kirwin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

Yearty was convicted of these offenses on December 4 of last year, following a week-long jury trial in United States District Court in Gainesville. Evidence at trial established that between October and December 2007, Yearty met with an undercover FBI agent posing as “Sean Michaels,” a representative of the fictitious development company, “Gideon Development, LLC.” During this time, Yearty accepted bribes from the agent in exchange for his support of Gideon’s plans for developments within Levy County. The gifts included the payment of $10,000 cash for Yearty to use for an all-expense paid trip to New York City. When subsequently interviewed by federal agents about his dealings with “Sean Michaels,” Yearty denied having received any money.

Yearty was accompanied on the New York trip by fellow Levy County Commissioner Robert Anthony “Tony” Parker. Parker, Yearty’s co-defendant in the case, was sentenced earlier this year to five years’ probation for his role in the offense.

In addition to the prison term, Yearty was ordered to pay a $10,000 fine and to serve a three-year term of supervised release following his release from prison.

Mr. Kirwin commended the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, whose joint investigation led to the conviction in this case.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Gregory P. McMahon.