Arkansas' ex-treasurer Martha Shoffner receives a 30 month prison sentence for her role in the federal bribery and extortion charges in 2013. Shoffner was arrested during an FBI sting operation and resigned shortly afterwards, according to FOX News.
It was argued that the 71-year-old Democrat should receive half that sentence and part of it as in-home detention, due to her age. Her attorney, Chuck Banks, believed her faith, remorse and the punishment of prosecution should be considered.
But Federal prosecutors feared sending the wrong message about public corruption and was against the lighter sentence; instead they recommended a sentence of 15 to 20 years in prison.
Judge Leon Holmes assessed no fines but ordered Shoffner to report to a federal prison in Fort Worth Texas by November 2, acording to the Arkansas Times.
"Some term in the bureau of prisons is necessary," Holmes said before sentencing, according to the Houston Chronicle. "(Shoffner) breached the public's trust as treasurer."
U.S. Attorney Chris Thyer asked for a 60-month prison term but claimed satisfaction with the outcome.
Shoffner had been arrested in 2013 for accusations she steered state investments to a broker in exchange for $36,000 in cash. When agents arrested her in her Newport home in May 2013 there was $6,000 in cash in the now infamous pie box, which was used by the broker to deliver the money to Shoffner.
