Federal Trial Begins For Suspended Clinch County Judge
POSTED: Tuesday, July 8, 2008
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VALDOSTA, Ga. -- A federal jury in Valdosta is being picked to hear the criminal case against a suspended Clinch County judge.Associate Magistrate Judge Linda Peterson was indicted in September 2007 for perjury, making false statements and extortion charges.According the indictment, Peterson, after setting a $50,000 bond for a man arrested on marijuana charges, told the defendant that her father, Herman Corbitt, could act as his bail bondsman for a fee.The indictment says Peterson told the defendant and other people "that she needed the fee that her father would charge for home remodeling."Peterson, 54, has pleaded not guilty.Peterson's charges are among several officials caught up in an FBI probe into abuse of judicial powers in the Alapaha Judicial Circuit.Among those indicted or investigated:
Copyright 2008 by News4Jax.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
- Clinch County Sheriff Winston Peterson was indicted on federal charges of extortion, obstruction of justice, perjury and forced labor. He is awaiting trial.
- Clinch County Clerk of Courts Daniel Leccese pleaded guilty last August to conspiracy to commit mail fraud.
- Former Homerville Housing Authority Director Susan Wyatt pleaded guilty to embezzlement last September.
- Clinch County Superior Court Judge Brooks Blitch III and juvenile court Judge Berrien Sutton were charged with misconduct by the Judicial Qualifications Commission, but were not indicted on criminal charges. Both have resigned.
- Berrien County Sheriff Jerry Brogdon pleaded guilty to federal gun charges and resigned.
Copyright 2008 by News4Jax.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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