Former Gwinnett Planning Commissioner Mark Gary has been charged by federal authorities in Atlanta with bribery in connection with a payment made to then-Commissioner Shirley Lasseter, according to media reports.
The Atlanta Journal Constitution reported Wednesday (Sept. 5) that Gary, who is part of Gary Holding Group in Johns Creek, paid $30,000 in casino chips to influence Lasseter's vote on a solid waste transfer station in Norcross.
The Gary Holding Group is also the developer in the new Noble Village at Spalding, a senior living center located on the former site of the
Lasseter voted for the transfer station on April 28, 2009. The following June, Gary gave the chips to her son, John Fanning, federal court documents say.
Lasseter, whose Gwinnett District 1 included Suwanee, Duluth and Sugar Hill, appointed Gary to the planning commission in 2009, according to media reports.
Among other projects, Gary developed Noble Village senior center on Satellite Boulevard in Suwanee.
Lasseter, Fanning and Flowery Branch businessman Carl "Skip" Cain are to be sentenced Wednesday (Sept. 5) on federal bribery charges. Lasseter resigned from the Gwinnett BOC in May.
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Patch will have continuing updates on the Lasseter sentencing and related matters.
