A Federal judge on Monday sentenced Former Clark County Commissioner Dario Herrera to 50 months in prison while fellow defendant and former commissioner Mary Kincaid-Chauncey received 30 months for their role in the so-called “Strippergate” corruption trial.
U.S. District Judge Larry Hicks told Herrera that he was shocked by his behavior which prosecutors said showed a history of taking bribes from strip club operator Michael Galardi and taking sexual favors from strippers working at Galardi’s Cheetah's Gentlemen’s Club, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported.
Herrera must also pay $76,600 in fines and forfeitures, while Kincaid Chauncey must pay $26,800 as part of their sentences.
But Hicks also opted to shave some of Kincaid-Chauncey’s sentence, which would have been a minimum of 41 months, due to the fact she had provided a home to dozens of foster children over the years.
Hicks also acknowledged 67 letters he received in support of the one-time county commissioner, noting that those were the most such letters he had seen.
The two commissioners were convicted of taking bribes from Galardi in exchange for voting against proposed measures aimed at curbing activities in strip clubs.
Herrera, 33, told the judge that he would not appeal the verdict, saying in a cracked voice that he had only himself to blame. But Kincaid-Chauncey said she would file an appeal.
U.S. District Attorney Daniel Bogden said the jury’s verdict and subsequent sentences should send a message to corrupt politicians.
Douglas McNabb, a Houston-based defense attorney, said neither defendant is likely to server their full time in prison. He said inmates in federal prisons or work camps serve 85 percent of their sentences. Often, inmates are transferred to a halfway house for the last six months of their sentences.
Under that scenario, Herrera would serve 36 months in prison and six months at a halfway house. Likewise, Kincaid-Chauncey would serve 19 months in a facility with six months at a halfway house. They must report to prison by Jan. 12.
The trial, dubbed “Strippergate” by local media, began last fall after Herrera, Kincaid-Chauncey and fellow Comissioner Erin Kenny were indicted on corruption charges after a long Federal investigation.
Three clubs owned by Galardi, Cheetah’s in San Diego and Cheetah’s and Jaguars in Las Vegas – were raided last May by the FBI who were investigating allegations of illegal payoffs and bribes of public officials by the strip club mogul, who along with Kenny, last fall cut a deal to cooperate with prosecutors in exchange for a lesser sentence.
Prosecutors said that Galardi paid Herrera and Kincaid-Chauncey several thousand dollars a month, beginning in 2000 in exchange for their votes on strip club regulations. Herrera was said to have received a $30,000 payment from Galardi in 2001 after Herrera and his wife divorced.
Prosecutors also said Kincaid-Chauncey received $5,000 a month from Galardi, beginning in 2001.
