Former Tennesse Senator sentenced to 5 years

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — A former state senator was sentenced Friday to more than five years in prison for taking bribes in an FBI corruption sting dubbed Operation Tennessee Waltz.

Ex-Sen. Roscoe Dixon, a Democrat who was in the Legislature for 22 years, left the federal courthouse vowing to appeal. A judge cited his lack of remorse for the sentence of five years and three months.

Dixon, 57, was one of five current or former state lawmakers and 11 other people charged in the bribery investigation, which focused on an FBI front company called E-Cycle Management.

The company sought government help in setting up a business seeking to recycle used state computers. Dixon's indictment listed bribes adding up to $9,500, but McCalla agreed with prosecutors that the total was $15,500, including payoffs that preceded the Tennessee Waltz investigation.

Prosecutors said Dixon split those bribes with former associate Barry Myers, who pleaded guilty and testified against him.

"Public officials should recognize ... that they must be held accountable if they break the law," U.S. Attorney David Kustoff said. "Today's sentencing of Mr. Dixon demonstrates this very principle."

The scandal rocked the Legislature when indictments were made public last year and led to a special session on ethics reform.

Dixon was the first former lawmaker to go to trial in the case but the second to be sentenced to prison. Former state Rep. Chris Newton pleaded guilty last year and was sentenced to a year in prison. Three other current or former senators have pleaded not guilty and are awaiting trial.

Dixon said he would continue to argue that he was set up by overzealous federal agents and lying government witnesses. He said he declined admitting guilt because "I wanted to hold all my options open because I'm going to appeal."

U.S. District Judge Jon McCalla said before sentencing Dixon that he saw no evidence of wrongdoing in the investigation, and he admonished Dixon for his public comments about government wrongdoing that could undermine the public's confidence in the judicial system.

"That's wrong, Senator Dixon. That's wrong," McCalla said.

The five bribery and extortion charges on which Dixon was convicted in June carried a maximum of 90 years in prison, but federal guidelines called for a much lighter sentence for a first-time offender.

After sentencing, Dixon was released without bond to await notice from federal officials on where he should report to prison.