2 Ex-Associates of Hedgecock Get Probation

Nancy Hoover and Tom Shepard, two former political associates of former Mayor Roger Hedgecock, were sentenced Friday to three years’ probation for channeling thousands of dollars in illegal contributions to Hedgecock’s political campaigns.

Municipal Judge Robert J. Stahl called the sentence a “fair and just resolution of the case.” Hoover and Shepard were sentenced under the terms of a plea bargain with prosecutors.

Hoover was sentenced on one felony count of conspiracy to violate campaign spending and disclosure laws, which can be reduced to a misdemeanor after she serves the first year of probation. Shepard was sentenced on one misdemeanor conspiracy count.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Charles Wickersham agreed to drop 14 additional felony and misdemeanor counts against both defendants in exchange for their guilty pleas April 18.

$10,000 Fine

In addition to probation, Hoover must pay a $10,000 fine, at the rate of $833.33 a month, and complete 350 hours of community work. Hoover, who recently married a wealthy Santa Barbara businessman, must also “seek employment, education or training” during her three-year probation.

Shepard, who admitted that his political consulting firm received more than $350,000 in contributions to aid Hedgecock’s campaign, was ordered to pay a $1,000 fine and to do 200 hours of community work.

Hoover was the live-in companion and business partner of J. David (Jerry) Dominelli, the convicted swindler who in February pleaded guilty to conspiring to illegally finance Hedgecock’s campaign and was given a two-year prison sentence.

Hedgecock, who now works as a radio talk show host, was convicted of conspiracy and perjury last October and forced to resign as mayor. He is appealing the conviction.