MIKE MAGGIO: On day he surrendered for prison sentence.

The U.S. Supreme Court today denied without comment Mike Maggio’s petition to consider an appeal of his conviction and 10-year federal prison sentence for bribery.

It was among dozens the court dispensed with.

Advertisement

Maggio began serving his sentence in July for admitting that he’d been influenced by campaign contributions from a nursing home owner, Michael Morton of Fort Smith, to reduce a verdict against one of Michael Morton’s nursing homes from $5.2 million to $1 million. The contributions were arranged by former Republican Sen. Gilbert Baker. Neither Morton nor Baker was charged and both have said they did nothing wrong in contributing to Maggio’s campaign for Court of Appeals, scrapped by this and another ethics violation. Maggio attempted to withdraw his guilty plea and also argued that the prosecution hadn’t met the standard for a bribery case in charging him.

The completion of Maggio’s criminal case now clears the way for plaintiffs in a lawsuit against Morton and Baker over the verdict reduction (Maggio was held immune from lawsuit for acting in his official capacity) to attempt to draw testimony from Maggio to support their suit on behalf of the estate of the woman who died because of inadequate care and which saw the unanimous jury award reduced by $4.2 million.

Advertisement

Rumors have also long circulated that the federal public corruption team that brought this case — and which has been working on kickback cases against two former legislators in Northwest Arkansas — might plan more action on completion of the Maggio criminal case. But that’s only speculation at this point.

The federal Bureau of Prisons indicates Maggio is being held at the McCreary federal prison unit in Pine Knot, Ky, It includes a high-security prison and a 159-inmate minimum security camp.

Advertisement

Invest in the future of great journalism in Arkansas

Join the ranks of the 63,000 Facebook followers, 58,000 Twitter followers, 35,000 Arkansas blog followers, and 70,000 daily email blasts who know that the Arkansas Times is the go-to source for tough, determined, and feisty journalism that holds the powerful accountable. For 50 years, our progressive, alternative newspaper in Little Rock has been on the front lines of the fight for truth, and with your support, we can do even more. By subscribing or donating to the Arkansas Times, you'll not only have access to all of our articles, but you'll also be helping us hire more writers and expand our coverage. Don't miss out on the opportunity to make a difference with your subscription or donation to the Arkansas Times today.

Previous article Monday open line Next article Democrat seeks Hendren family House seat in Benton County