Former Okaloosa County Sheriff Charlie Morris was arrested in February for stealing tax payer’s money in an elaborate kick-back scheme and was charged with theft, fraud and money laundering. He was arrested in Las Vegas with $5,000 with in his pocket and $30,000 in his hotel room.
Morris was sentenced to 5 years and 11 months in prison and ordered to pay $212,000 in restitution to the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners and forfeit $194,000 in property.
Thelma Manley, former community liaison for Front Porch, was found guilty of four counts of grand theft and one count of racketeering. Manley took $164,000 in travel payments, grant funds, corporate donations and extra pay from nonprofits and government agencies over a five-year period without her board’s approval. Manley wasn’t arrested with rolls of cash in her purse. She faces up to 85 years in prison.
What is a fair sentence for Manley–based on Morris’ treatment? Why was Manley charged with racketeering and not Charlie Morris?
Racketeering is generally defined as “A pattern of illegal activity carried out as part of an enterprise that is owned or controlled by those who are engaged in the illegal activity.” If Manley is guilty of racketeering Morris is too —on a much grander scale.
Of course, there is one major difference. Morris was tried in federal court and pleaded guilty. Manley was tried in circuit court and did not accept any deals.
You would think that a federal crime would have a more severe punishment than a state crime, that an elected official who stole from his taxpayers would be treated more severely than a 50-year-old black woman who was given a checkbook and left unsupervised by her board and the governor’s office that established her position.
Thelma Manley is guilty, but should she be punished the same as or worse than Charlie Morris?