Gainesville, Florida - Thomas F. Kirwin, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida announced today the indictment of two Levy County Commissioners , Williams Samuel Yearty (62) and Robert Anthony “Tony” Parker (47) for solicitation of bribes, conspiracy to commit that offense, and making false statements during the course of a federal investigation in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 371, 666(a)(1)(B), and 1001(a).

The indictment alleges that during the fall of 2007, Yearty and Parker, who were serving as Levy County Commissioners, conspired to accept things of value with the intent to be influenced and rewarded in connection with transactions pending before the Levy County Board of County Commissioners. Specifically, the indictment alleges that the conspirators offered their approval for developments within Levy County in exchange for money and other inducements, and attempted to influence members of the Board of County Commissioners to obtain their approval for these developments.

Yearty is also charged with one count of making false statements to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

If convicted, Yearty and Parker face a maximum sentence of 5 years’ imprisonment for conspiracy (Count One), and a maximum of 10 years’ imprisonment for the substantive offense of soliciting bribes (Count Two). If convicted for making false statements during the course of a federal investigation (Count Three), Yearty faces a maximum of 5 years’ imprisonment.

Trial is scheduled for December 8, 2008, in the United States District Court in Gainesville, before the Honorable Stephan P. Mickle.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Gregory P. McMahon.

An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent until, and unless, proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.