Thanks To Federal Judge Danny Reeves, Clay County Vote Buying Circuit Judge Cletus Maricle Gets NO "Miracle" As He Draws Over 26 Year Prison Sentence.

Former Clay circuit judge sentenced to more than 26 years in vote-buying case
By Bill Estep

Cletus Maricle, a Kentucky Circuit Court Judge, in an udated file photo supplied by the Administrative Office of the Courts on 1/23/03. Keyword: Prescription for Pain series, drug, drug abuse, drug dealers, prescription drug abuse. Former Clay County Circuit Judge Cletus Maricle, one of eight Clay County residents on trial in a vote-fraud case before U.S. District Court in Frankfort, March 2010. Photo provided. ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF COURTSBuy Photo

FRANKFORT — Cletus Maricle, a former Clay County circuit court judge, was sentenced to 320 months — 261/2 years — for being the mastermind in a racketeering conspiracy that bought votes in an attempt to control the county, a federal judge ruled Thursday.

U.S. District Judge Danny C. Reeves said Maricle, 67, deserved a longer sentence than his counterparts because he was the head of the organization.

Maricle was convicted of conspiring with other county officials in schemes that involved racketeering, money laundering and voter fraud. He also was convicted of obstruction of justice.

Maricle and seven other county residents were convicted last March of using the county election board as a vehicle to corrupt elections in 2002, '04 and '06.

Others convicted in the case are Douglas C. Adams, the former Clay County school superintendent; former county Clerk Freddy W. Thompson; Stanley Bowling, who was a magistrate; Charles Wayne Jones, the county's Democratic election commissioner; William E. Stivers, a precinct worker; Bart Morris, who owned a garbage company that got local contracts; and his wife, Debra Morris.

Maricle's attorneys said they will appeal.

Read more: http://www.kentucky.com/2011/03/10/1665117/former-clay-circuit-judge-sentenced.html#ixzz1GDFMilkf