COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - Federal prosecutors say a former South Carolina Department of Transportation board member should be imprisoned for violating his probation within hours of sentencing by offering to pay an undercover deputy $40 for sex.
News outlets report prosecutors recommended Thursday that 72-year-old John Hardee serve 10 to 16 months in prison. Hardee was sentenced last month to probation for trying to destroy evidence in an FBI investigation into whether he accepted bribes while on the transportation board. Investigators found he didn’t commit bribery, but did obstruct the investigation.
Prosecutors say Hardee texted the undercover deputy about nine hours after being sentenced and tried to arrange a “QV,” or quick visit.
Judge Terry Wooten will sentence Hardee. The newspaper notes no sentencing hearings were scheduled as of Friday.
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