Former State Sen. Jon Woods found guilty of 15 charges
Former State Senator Jon Woods was found guilty on 15 criminal charges and consultant Randell Shelton was found guilty of 12 criminal charges in the trial against them.
The jury reached its verdicts Thursday afternoon.
Woods was convicted on 1 count of conspiracy to commit mail/wire fraud, 12 counts of wire fraud, one count of mail fraud and one count of money laundering.
Woods was acquitted of two counts of wire fraud.
Shelton was convicted on one count of conspiracy to commit wire/mail fraud, 10 counts of wire fraud and one count of mail fraud.
Shelton was acquitted of three counts of wire fraud.
Judge Timothy Brooks will determine sentencing.
Former State Senator Jon Woods and consultant Randell Shelton were accused of taking part in a kickback scheme.
Government prosecutors allege that Woods and Shelton conspired to direct state General Improvement Funds to Ecclesia College in exchange for kickbacks.
Oren Paris III, the former president of Ecclasia College was indicted with Woods and Shelton. Paris pleaded guilty April 4 and agreed to testify for the government.
Former State Rep. Micah Neal testified in the case. He said he received an envelope from Randell Shelton that included $18,000 in cash. He also testified that "Jon and I expected to get paid."
Neal had previously pleaded guilty to taking bribes.
Prosecutors showed evidence of a $40,000 payment from Shelton to Woods, saying it was a kickback Woods got for directing state money.
The government said in closing arguments, this was "a scheme to cheat citrizens out of honest services from their elected officials," and "they didn't care to cover their tracks because they feel no one is going to question it. They were wrong."
The defense said the payment was just a loan, and that Woods paid the $40,000 back. The prosecution said Woods paid the money back after he knew he was under investigation, and was trying to cover his tracks.
Woods' attorney said Woods did nothing wrong, and there was nothing happening behind the scenes. He said Woods was inspired by the message of Ecclesia, and wanted to help get funding a school that could not get other funding.
Shelton's defense also presented closing arguments, saying when Micah Neal testified, he was lying. Shelly Koehler, one of Shelton's attorneys, showed the jury the transcript of his testimony, pointing out several different parts where she said he lied.
Koehler also pointed out several pieces of evidence she said the prosecution did not show the jury. She said evidence he was there at the time of an incident does not alone prove he was apart of the conspiracy.
