Former schools chief sentenced to six years in corruption case
From Sunshine Review
25 November 2008
Andre J. Hornsby, former chief of schools for Prince George's County, was sentenced to six years in federal jail on corruption charges. Hornsby, who resigned in 2005, was convicted for honest services wirefraud, attempted evidence tampering, and obstruction of justice. He plans to appeal the sentence.[1]
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[edit] FBI Investigation
The FBI began investigating Hornsby in 2004, after the Baltimore Sun reported he secretly steered a school system contract worth nearly $1 million to LeapFrog SchoolHouse, without disclosing that then girlfriend Sienna Owens was a sales representative with the company.[2] Owens testified that she gave him half of her $20,000 commission in cash.
Additionally, Hornsby agreed to pay a long time business associate, $145,000 after arranging for her to negotiate a contract with Prince George schools. Prosecutors played a video of the two meeting in a hotel room in December 2004, where Hornsby is seen taking $1,000 in cash from an informant and putting it in his pocket.
A year ago the federal jury in his case deadlocked on the 16 corruption charges prosecutors had brought against Hornsby. The indictment was revised, with 6 new charges added, and on July 23 he was convicted on six of the 22 total counts, acquitted on two, with the rest deadlocked.
[edit] Hearing
The 3 1/2 hour hearing saw a dozen educators plea for leniency, citing Hornsby's dedication to children and educational accomplishments. The other side saw Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Pauze citing kickbacks, destroyed evidence, and the witness he tried to influence.
Never admitting guilt, Hornsby told the court, "I'm totally embarrassed by what I've put myself into. I understand the seriousness of my actions. I understand mistakes were made."[1]
[edit] Sentence
While prosecutors pushed for a 12 1/2 year jail sentence, U.S. District Judge Peter J. Messitte dismissed it, saying there was not precedent that others in Hornsby's position received sentences that long.
In addition to the six years in jail, Messitte sentenced Hornsby to an additional three years of suspended release. He will have to paid a $20,000 fine, along with $70,000 to Prince George's County for the $345,000 report the county paid for to investigate him.[1]
