Laura Jordan, aka Laura Maczka, 57, and Mark Jordan, 55, each of Plano, have been each convicted by a jury of bribery, conspiracy to commit bribery and tax fraud.
SHERMAN, Texas — Editor’s observe: The above video beforehand aired when the investigation into Maczka started.
The former mayor of Richardson and a land developer whom she married post-indictment, however upfront of trial, have each been sentenced to 72 months in federal jail for bribery and tax fraud violations, U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston introduced Thursday.
Laura Jordan, aka Laura Maczka, 57, and Mark Jordan, 55, each of Plano, have been each convicted by a jury of bribery, conspiracy to commit bribery, tax fraud and conspiracy to commit tax fraud in July 2021.
“Citizens should be able to trust that their elected representatives honestly conduct themselves in a manner that solely benefits the community,” Featherston stated after they have been sentenced.
“When the greed of non-public achieve and profit outcomes from official actions taken on the pretense of altruistic motives, then the integrity of the entire course of is corrupted. Jordan and Maczka have now been convicted by a jury of their friends and their punishment ought to replicate some measure of restore of that belief by the residents of Richardson, Texas,” continued Featherston.
During her time because the mayor of Richardson, from May 2013 by means of April 2015, Maczka and Jordan have been concerned in bribery schemes, in keeping with court docket paperwork.
Maczka voted for controversial zoning adjustments sought by Jordan, permitting for the development of the unpopular 1000-unit Palisades flats in Richardson in change for $18,000 in money, an extra $40,000 verify, and hundreds of {dollars} in renovations for Maczka’s house.
Maczka was additionally convicted of exchanging intercourse and getting luxurious resort stays from Jordan.
The two married after Maczka left the mayor’s workplace in 2015.
The couple was initially indicted in 2018 and convicted in a 2019 federal trial. But U.S. District Judge Amos Mazzant III threw out the convictions after studying {that a} court docket safety officer had mentioned the case with a juror.
After right now’s sentence, the 2 will spend six years in federal jail.
“For the residents of Richardson, today is a step toward rebuilding public trust,” Dallas FBI Special Agent in Charge Matthew J. DeSarno stated. “Laura Jordan violated her obligation to serve her constituents, and along with Mark Jordan, carried out a conspiracy to commit bribery and tax fraud all while concealing their illicit conduct from the City of Richardson and its taxpayers. Our elected officials are held to the highest standards, and the FBI will continue to ensure that those who disregard their duty to serve the public are held fully accountable.”
story by The Texas Tribune Source link