Ruel Hamilton has been sentenced to eight years in federal prison for bribing two former members of the Dallas City Council over a number of years, according to a release from acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, Chad Meacham.
Hamilton's sentencing came Tuesday from Chief U.S. District Judge Barbara Lynn. She also mandated Hamilton pay a fine of $150,000.
Hamilton had requested a new trial or an acquittal, but that request was denied on Monday.
The case stemmed from thousands of dollars Hamilton gave to Carolyn Davis and Dwaine Caraway, which the jury ruled was in exchange for pushing things like housing projects and a paid sick leave referendum. Both Davis and Caraway formerly sat on the city council.
Davis died in 2019 and Caraway is serving a sentence for a different corruption case.
FBI Dallas Special Agent Mattthew DeSarno said public corruption remains one of that agency’s top priorities.
“Today’s sentencing reaffirms the FBI’s commitment to holding those who pay bribes, accept bribes, and facilitate bribe payments fully accountable,” he said.
