Ousted Palm Beach County commissioner nears end of federal confinement - Orlando Sentinel
Palm Beach County commissioner-turned-federal-prisoner Mary McCarty becomes a free woman on Monday.
McCarty was the third of four Palm Beach County commissioners since 2006 who resigned and pleaded guilty to criminal charges related to misuse of office.
McCarty, 56, in March moved from a Texas prison camp to a West Palm Beach halfway house. She switched to home confinement in May, which ends on Monday.
"It's my emancipation day. My day of freedom," McCarty said on Friday from her home in Delray Beach. "8 a.m. Monday morning … I'm ready."
McCarty's downfall was part of a string of corruption scandals that shook public trust in local government, prompting voters in November to overwhelmingly support spreading tougher ethics rules for local elected officials and public employees to all 38 cities, towns and villages.
Even with her freedom, McCarty still faces three years of community supervision, similar to probation.
"She will report to a probation officer," said Chris Burke, spokesman for the U.S. Bureau of Prisons. "It's [part of] a gradual transition back into society."
McCarty in 2009 pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit honest services fraud and was sentenced to 3-1/2 years in prison.
McCarty admitted to supporting bond projects underwritten by her husband's employers without disclosing her personal gain. She was also found to have received free or reduced-price hotel stays from a company that had a development deal with the county.
McCarty's husband, former South Florida Water Management District Chairman Kevin McCarty, was sentenced to eight months in prison for failing to report his wife's crime.
Mary McCarty served her prison time at a minimum-security federal prison camp in Bryan, Texas. There. the former Delray Beach Republican political power broker worked as a dishwasher, prison librarian and tutored fellow inmates trying to get their GED diplomas.
"Losing my freedom, losing control of my life — that was a huge adjustment," McCarty said. "I think I will be a better person as a result."
McCarty is getting out of prison early because federal inmates can become eligible for time off for good behavior after serving 85 percent of their sentences.
While staying at the West Palm Beach halfway house and during home confinement, she worked for minimum wage answering phones at a friend's law office.
With strict restrictions on when she could leave her home, McCarty has been hosting weekly potluck dinners that she estimates have attracted about 200 people since she returned to Palm Beach County.
"I have been very grateful for the kindness of people and the forgiving nature of people," she said.
McCarty's work at the law office ended on Thursday. Family members are flying in next week to help the former commissioner celebrate her new-found freedom.
McCarty said she has no plans to run for office again. She said she will not work as a lobbyist, but may become a business consultant who could specialize in marketing and strategizing.
"I've still got a pretty good Rolodex," McCarty said.
Three of Palm Beach County's four commissioners ousted by scandals — McCarty, Tony Masilotti and Warren Newell — served federal prison time. McCarty's release means all three are now out of custody.
Former commissioner Jeff Koons faced state charges and avoided prison time after a speedy plea bargain.
The County Commission scandals prompted tougher ethics rules for local officials and the hiring of an inspector general to serve as a full-time local government watch dog.
Reform advocates contend the ethics measures are helping restore public trust in local government.
"I think that we are going through a transition … from pretty loose regulations and very much a pay-to-play atmosphere to [having] standards now," said Marty Rogol of the Palm Beach County Ethics Initiative.
McCarty said public outcry about the string of scandals meant the county "had to do something," but that new rules won't stop people whose "moral compass" is off.
"If people are intent on circumventing the law, they are going to do it," McCarty said.
abreid@tribune.com or 561-228-5504
17 Sep, 2011--
Source: http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNGaljK-1FpMVpT0whMyO_nYDski3Q&url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/fl-mccarty-release-20110916,0,343813.story
~
Manage subscription | Powered by rssforward.com
