June 2009

U.S. Water News Online

SACRAMENTO — A Novato scrap dealer has been sentenced to two years and nine months in prison for bribing San Francisco, Sacramento and Sonoma city employees with more than $200,000.

Federal prosecutors say the bribes bought 77-year-old Sheldon Morris the right to sell used water meters collected by the cities.

He admitted keeping part of the proceeds and using part for kickbacks to city employees. He paid $1,304 for a holiday party for the Sacramento Water Distribution Branch.

Morris pleaded guilty last year to paying the bribes between 1999 and 2007. As part of the plea agreement, he also agreed to pay more than $186,000 in restitution to the three cities.

The former Sacramento and Sonoma water supervisors pleaded guilty to related charges and are awaiting sentencing.

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