Former Dallas Mayor Pro Tem Don Hill and several others were found guilty this week in a high-profile corruption case involving developers building low-income housing tax credit properties.
Federal prosecutors alleged that Hill and other defendants entered into an association in which thousands of dollars were paid by Brian Potashnik, and his wife, Cheryl, owners of Southwest Housing Development, through sham business contracts. In exchange, the officials supported their housing projects.
The case has been described as the largest corruption case in Dallas City Hall history.
Hill, 57, was convicted on seven of nine counts charged, including one count of conspiracy to commit bribery concerning a local government receiving federal benefits and a count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. He faces up a maximum of 95 years in prison. According to The Dallas Morning News, Hill has vowed to appeal.
His wife, Sheila Farrington Hill, 45, was convicted on five of six counts charged.
D’Angelo Lee, 43, Hill’s appointee to the planning commission, was convicted on all seven counts that he faced.
Darren L. Reagan, 50, was convicted on two of four counts charged.
Rickey Robertson, 43, was convicted on two of three counts.
Prior to the three-month trial, the Potashniks pleaded guilty to their involvement, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Southwest Housing was one of the most prominent affordable housing developers and owners in the state.
