Spellman admits accepting bribe

In a surprise move, Oliver Spellman, former Mayor Lee Brown's chief of staff, pleaded guilty to bribery charges:

"I took money from an individual in return for favor in winning government contracts," Spellman told U.S. District Judge James Gwin of Cleveland.

He said he took the bribe in July 2002. Although neither he nor the criminal information document filed last week named the person who paid the bribe, other court documents indicate it was well-connected Cleveland businessman Nate Gray.

Gray has not been charged.

The criminal information said Spellman -- not Gray, as incorrectly reported earlier -- took money to influence contracts for a shuttle service at Intercontinental Airport and city energy services. City officials say the contracts in question were subcontracts not awarded directly by the city.

Prosecutors said the plea agreement is contingent upon Spellman's cooperation with a multistate corruption investigation that already has resulted in criminal charges against a Cleveland city councilman and conviction of a suburban mayor.

Gwin set a $25,000 unsecured bond. It was not immediately clear if Spellman, who now lives in New York, would be released today.

He faces eight to 14 months in prison on the single count of bribery conspiracy filed Dec. 7.

Posted by Anne Linehan @ 12/14/04 03:22 PM | Houston Politics | Technorati | Sphere | Comments (0)

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