Eatonville mayor convicted of voter fraud sentenced to 4 years of probation

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — The former mayor of Eatonville convicted of tampering with the city’s 2015 elections was sentenced to four years of probation on Friday.

Anthony Grant was also sentenced to 25 days, but it included time served.

He made a last-minute plea for mercy.

“This has been one of the most difficult times of my life, this experience and being incarcerated,” said Grant. “I apologize to my family and friends for any embarrassment I’ve caused.”

He told the judge a trip to prison would leave his family without a provider.

He said he’s spent his life trying to do right by the people who relied on him.

“I pray to this court to have leniency on my sentence,” said grant.

His co-defendant, Mia Nowells, cried in court as she was confronted with the reality that she too was about to become a convicted felon.

Though the judge had harsh words, he put both of them on probation after time served.

Orange County’s previous state attorney, Jeff Ashton, had seen his administration’s motives come under fire during trial.

“It shows that jurors take this stuff seriously, as they should, and that people in positions of power have to follow the law,” said Ashton.

He considers the sentence a victory for voters and for the electoral process.

Grant was released from the Orange County Jail Friday night.

Grant told Channel 9 that the first thing he plans to do Saturday morning is play golf.

Cox Media Group