Contractor Sentenced for Role in Bribery Scheme
A Compton contractor who testified that he arranged meetings during which former U.S. Rep. Walter R. Tucker III and former City Councilwoman Patricia Moore accepted bribes was sentenced Monday to two years probation.
Joseph Spraggins, 72, pleaded guilty in 1995 to one count of conspiracy to commit extortion and one count of filing a false tax return. Both counts stemmed from the federal investigation that snared Tucker and Moore. Assistant U.S. Atty. Dan Saunders said Spraggins was afforded leniency because he cooperated with prosecutors.
“The government recommended that Mr. Spraggins be given credit for his cooperation,” Saunders said, adding that the defendant “did not personally, financially profit” from his dealings with Tucker and Moore.
Tucker was convicted in 1995 of extortion and tax fraud, and sentenced to a 27-month prison term. Last year, Moore was convicted of extortion and failure to file income tax returns. She is scheduled to begin her 33-month sentence on Sept. 4.
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