ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Scott Batterson, a former member of the Expressway Authority board, was convicted of offering a multimillion dollar deal to a contractor in exchange for hiring his friends. He has been in jail, awaiting sentencing, since he was convicted in August.
Channel 9's Shannon Butler has learned that there is a possibility Batterson may able to walk out of jail next week.
Prosecutors confirmed to Butler that they've been talking with Batterson about the possibility of bond, but they would not elaborate on what kind of deals, if any, are being made.
Batterson is scheduled to be sentenced next week
On Thursday Butler obtained several letters filed in court from friends and family asking for the judge to go easy on Batterson when he is sentenced.
One letter says, "Scott is a man of faith and doesn't have a malicious bone in his body."
Another says, "He will see to it that he carries out the rest of his life in truth and honesty."
His lawyer is expected to ask for acquittal and if that isn't granted will likely file an appeal.
Batterson's attorney could ask for a supersedeas bond, which means his client would be able to bond out while waiting for that appeal. That means Batterson could be a free man for a long time. Officials said an appeal could take from 18 months to two years.
Attorneys for the state told Butler that no decision has been made about a supersedeas bond, only saying there are discussions in the works.
"A bond pending appeal is standard fair. However, the state attorney can use an appeal pending bond to try and attach some conditions," said WFTV legal analyst Bill Sheaffer
WFTV
