Columbia, SC (WLTX) - Three defendants have received penalties--but no jail time--for their role in a public corruption scheme out of Lexington County.
Former Lexington Town Councilman Danny Frazier, restaurant owner Greg Leon, and former South Congaree Police Chief Jason Amodio all appeared in court Thursday morning, where they entered into plea agreements with state prosecutors.
State attorneys then suggested to the judge that the men's cooperation in their investigation be taken into account for sentencing.
In an indictment against him handed down last year, Frazier was accused of being involved in two separate plans: one that involved former Lexington County Sheriff James Metts and Greg Leon, and a separate one involving Amodio.
According to prosecutors, Frazier would take payments to from Leon, who had several employees that are immigrants who entered the country illegally. Documents say Frazier would then ask Metts to help the employees avoid federal detection while at the Lexington County Detention Center.
The probe brought down the four decades long law enforcement career of Metts, who resigned before entering a plea agreement. In June, Metts began serving a one-year prison sentence for his role in the scheme. Previous Coverage:Metts Reports to Prison
The judge sentenced Frazier to a $10,000 fine, five years probation, and 400 hours of community service. Leon received five years probation and 200 hours of community service.
Prosecutors also say Frazier offered bribes to former South Congaree Police Chief Jason Amodio. In exchange, Frazier would get illegal video gambling machines that Amodio had seized during raids within city limits.
For his role, Amodio was given four year probation that includes eight months under home confinement. That sentence will overlap a federal sentence of four years probation for lying to investigators.
