Alcoholism to Reduce Corrupt Commissioner's Prison Time
Ex-Broward Commissioner claims he has a drinking problem
Josephus Eggelletion
When you see former Broward Commissioner Josephus Eggelletion, you don't think Jamie Foxx.
But the corrupt politician is using the hook from a Foxx hit to knock a year off his federal prison sentence.
Eggelletion, who was busted for bribery and money laundering last year, claims he is battling alcoholism and plans to seek help in prison. If he completes a treatment program behind bars, his sentence could be reduced to 18 months, according to the South Florida Times.
Last week, a federal judge sentenced Eggelletion to 30 months in prison and the ex-politician reportedly has agreed to a similar plea deal with state prosecutors on separate corruption charges.
Under the terms of the deal, Eggelletion's brother, Andre, would get a free pass and the investigation into his possible role in the public corruption would end. Prosecutors claim Eggelletion accepted a pricey golf club membership and $25,00 in cash from developers who came before the county commission.
Eggelletion, 60, was suspended from his county commissioner post in October after he was charged with conspiring to help launder more than $900,000 through a Bahamas bank account from what undercover FBI agents told him was an investment fraud scheme.
We're all for people curing their illnesses, but using alcoholism to get out of paying your debt to society doesn't seem like justice. Facing hard time has sent many people seeking relief in the bottle.
A judge is expected to hear the state plea deal by the end of the month. Eggelletion isn't scheduled to start his prison term until May 3.
