Local News in Brief : Kickback Figure Paroled
The founder of the City of Industry, sentenced to eight years in prison for receiving kickbacks from contractors involved in building the city’s convention center, has been released early from a federal penitentiary.
James Marty Stafford, 71, was released this week from the Federal Correctional Facility in Fort Worth, Texas, said Charlotte Barron, executive assistant to the prison warden.
Stafford, who reportedly has heart problems, is being returned to Covina, where he will be confined to his home until he is eligible for parole on May 1. He will have to wear an electronic device that will allow authorities to monitor his movements.
Stafford was sentenced to an eight-year federal prison term in 1985 after he pleaded guilty to charges of fraud, attempted bribery, conspiracy and obstruction of justice.
Prosectors charged him with receiving $1.35 million in kickbacks from firms that received contracts to work on the $65-million Industry Hills and Sheraton Resort project. He paid Industry $2.5 million in restitution.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
