ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Former Expressway Authority board member Scott Batterson will be sentenced Friday for bribery.
Channel 9's Kathi Belich was told by state attorneys that they are not backing off their position that Batterson should do at least three-and-a-half years of prison time
Batterson is hoping for a lighter sentence and wants to remain free on bond while he appeals his case.
On Thursday Batterson gave up his fight against a public meeting law violation charge and pleaded no contest. He agreed to pay nearly $10,000 in investigative costs, but still is not admitting he did anything wrong.
State attorneys said the plea offer has been available to Batterson all along.
Batterson's attorney Amy Tingle said she and her client finally agreed, hoping for leniency from the judge Friday.
"We're just trying to do everything we can to mitigate his sentence tomorrow," said Tingle.
Batterson also answered the state's questions yesterday about former state Rep. Chris Dorworth, who is charged with scheming with Batterson to circumvent the state's public meeting law. Prosecutors won't say whether the information he offered helped their case.
Prosecutors said they believe Batterson deserves three-and-a-half years of prison time for offering a vendor a toll agency contract if the vendor hired whomever Batterson wanted to be hired.
"If that is the minimum sentence, we believe that the minimum sentence, if not more, is appropriate," said prosecutor Rick Wallsh.
WFTV legal analyst Belvin Perry believes it is highly unlikely the plea will help Batterson Friday.
"Do you want to send the message that you get a slap on the hand? And that's what the judge is going to reconcile and she's also going to look at what damage did it do to the reputation of government," said Perry.
The judge denied Batterson's request to bond out following his conviction, while he awaited sentencing.
WFTV
