Federal authorities unsealed indictments Monday alleging a bribery and extortion scheme within city hall involving a state representative, numerous past and present city officials, and a prominent real estate developer.
The indictments charge 14 defendants with illegal dealings with contractors who were building publicly funded affordable-housing developments in Dallas.
A 15th defendant was indicted on allegations of tax fraud and a 16th was indicted on a count of embezzlement.
Among the figures named in the main 31-count indictment are former Mayor Pro Tem and one-time mayoral candidate Don Hill; Democratic state Rep. Terri Hodge of Dallas; and real-estate developer Brian Potashnik. Jack Potashnik, Brian Potashnik's father, is named in a separate indictment that alleges tax fraud.
At the heart of the indictments is the allegation that public officials accepted bribes and kickbacks to help Brian Potashnik's company, Southwest Housing, receive construction contracts.
In a statement, Brian Potashnik said the charges were "unfair and cruel."
"As we begin this fight to prove our innocence, we ask for people to wait for the facts and give us the benefit of the doubt we have worked so hard to earn," Potashnik said.
The indictments stem from an FBI investigation that became public more than two years ago when agents raided city offices.
Former City Council member James Fantroy is named in another indictment alleging he embezzled at least $5,000 from Paul Quinn College, a historically black college in Dallas. Fantroy was the school's treasurer and served on the board of directors. He declined to comment at the courthouse.
Elsewhere, Don Surber continues his name that party parade over UNSCAM-oil for food convicted felon Oscar Wyatt, Jr., who
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