Politics & Government

Noble Village Developer Gets 2-Year Sentence for Bribery

Mark Gary receives a two-year prison term, and a prosecutor says that another individual could be charged.

By Steve Burns

A former Duluth developer's federal bribery case is now over -- but a new case for someone else is still possible in Gwinnett County.

Mark Gary, 40, received a two-year federal prison sentence Tuesday (Aug. 27) in connection with a bribery scheme that involved former Gwinnett Commissioner Shirley Lasseter. And Gary's cooperation with prosecutors has implications for the ongoing Gwinnett corruption probe.

Gary confessed to paying a bribe in exchange for Lasseter's vote for a waste transfer station in which Gary had a personal stake. Gary also received three years of supervised release as part of his sentence.

Since being implicated, Gary has been cooperating with federal prosecutors. And a report says that another indictment may be coming.

"I do expect there to be at least one other individual charged as a result of Mark Gary’s cooperation,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Doug Gilfillan told Judge Charles Pannell Jr. at Gary's sentencing, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

In 2009, Gary had discussions of payments with Lasseter, a former Duluth mayor, and her son John Fanning, prosecutors said. Ultimately, Gary paid Fanning $30,000 in gambling chips to an out-of-state casino to secure Lasseter's vote on the waste transfer station.

Lasseter and Fanning both are serving federal prison sentences for bribery, although they were not charged in connection with Gary.

Editor's note: Mark Gary is one of the principals in Gary Holding Company which is currently developing the Noble Village at Spalding senior living center. The center, first expected to open in the fall of 2013, is now expected to open in June 2013.

-- What are your thoughts on corruption in Gwinnett County? Tell us in the comments below.


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