NORFOLK, Virginia — Former state delegate Ron Villanueva was sentenced to serve 2.5 years in prison on Tuesday after he pleaded guilty back in March to a federal charge of conspiracy to defraud the government.
Villanueva, 48, faced a slew of federal charges at the start of the year surrounding a bid-rigging scheme to defraud the United States out of $80 million, falsification of records and two counts of aiding and abetting false written statements.
He wanted to arrange a plea agreement with prosecutors before he pleaded guilty.
Most sentences for federal crimes are less than the maximum penalty. In this case, the maximum penalty for the crime Villanueva was charged with was five years.
Villanueva served as a member of the 21st District in the House of Delegates from 2010 to 2018. He also served as a Virginia Beach City Council member before that.
"Here I am. I've been held accountable for these things, and I look forward to doing my time and just coming out at the end and being a better person and continue helping people,” said Villanueva.
According to court documents, Villanueva participated in a nine-year conspiracy involving over $80 million in fraudulently obtained government contracts. More specifically, Villanueva conspired with others to help two Virginia Beach companies secure Small Business Administration contracts that had been set aside for minority-owned businesses.
“We are defined by our maker and not defined by our mistakes, and this was a great mistake on my part...I am just hopeful that I can make amends and be productive again," Villanueva said.
On Tuesday, a judge didn't hold back her thoughts telling Villanueva he knew what he was doing was wrong. The judge went on to say she believed greed got to him.
"I don't think it was greed. I think it was just not paying attention, not listening and not following what I always talked about which was service, leadership and staying true to yourself," he explained.
Villanueva must report to authorities in the next 45 days. After he finishes his sentence, he will serve three years’ probation and will have to pay $524,533.