A federal judge sentenced former lottery commissioner Kevin Geddings to four years in prison and a $25,000 fine today. Here is a quick summary of the arguments from the hearing:
Prosecution: Geddings got tens of thousands of dollars from Scientific Games before he became a commissioner. That's pretty much the same thing as a bribe. Defense: He wasn't bribed; he simply failed to fill out an ethics form accurately. Judge: It's not quite a bribe, but he did more than screw up a form.
Defense: Geddings wasn't a "high-level official" since he was only one of nine lottery commissioners. Prosecution: Yes, but he helped pick the executive director and tried to influence the other board members to pick Scientific Games. Judge: He's a "high-level official" all right.
Prosecution: Geddings lied to the public, he lied to the media and he lied to the jury. Defense: He meant every word he said, and he has a right to defend himself. Judge: I don't care what you said to the media, but the perjury will cost you.
Defense: Geddings' son has autism, his wife has Type 1 diabetes and his political career is over. Be lenient. Prosecution: Judges have been tough on single mothers, and he's at least got a wife. Judge: I'll take his family into consideration, but it's not a major factor.
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Re: Summary: Geddings sentence
The judge found four instances of perjury:
1) His explanation that he misunderstood the so-called "newspaper rule."
2) His denial that he told a Scientific Games employee that if he disclosed his ties he would not have gotten the job as a lottery commissioner.
3) His claim that he did not show favoritism toward Scientific Games as a commissioner.
4) His statements about his work for Just Care, a prison health-care company based in Alabama.