NORFOLK, Va. — On Friday, former Norfolk Sheriff Bob McCabe was sentenced to 12 years in prison for bribery and public corruption.
McCabe, who was the sheriff from 1994 to 2017, was convicted of helping companies secure multi-million dollar contracts with the city in exchange for gits and trips.
McCabe’s sentencing lasted more than three hours. It comes nine months after a jury convicted him on 11 counts of bribery and corruption.
Federal prosecutors asked for 20 years, while McCabe's Attorney James Broccoletti asked for five.
“I thought the court was fair in its consideration,” Broccoletti said. “I thought the court understood our argument in terms of balancing. I don’t think you can forget or negate all of the tremendous things he has done for the community, for the jail, for the inmates, for the citizens. And we asked the court to strike that balance. The court, I thought, did the best that it could."
Emotions swirled during McCabe’s hearing. He entered in an orange jumpsuit with a walker. His wife, Janet McCabe, sobbed loudly.
McCabe looked much different than he did at trial. Broccoletti said for the last several months, McCabe sat in solitary confinement, for his own protection, but it has taken a toll.
“He is a shell of the man that he was in August when he came to trial,” Broccoletti said. “When we came to trial, he was vibrant, he was live, he was walking, he was fine. Now, he has lesions all over his body, open sores. He is on a walker. He has fallen several times. He has hit his head. He has early Alzheimer’s and dementia.”
During the hearing, McCabe made a statement, through tears.
“It's clear I’ve used very poor judgment at times,” McCabe said. “I am embarrassed and ashamed by these decisions. Thank you for allowing me to express sincere regret and remorse. My only hope is you show me compassion. I am truly sorry.”
U.S. District Judge Arenda Allen told McCabe his crimes were a profound breach of the public's trust. She told McCabe the company CEOs played him.
“My only wish is that you played them back,” Judge Allen said.
Judge Allen told McCabe she could have sentenced him to the max of all 11 counts a jury convicted him on, which would have given him 220 years in prison.
Broccoletti said he is filing an appeal for McCabe.
“He blurred the lines between friendship and business relationships. He has admitted that, but he has consistently maintained that he did not take a bribe,” Broccoletti said.
Court leaders recommended McCabe goes to Butner Federal Medical Center to help with his physical and mental needs. It’s a federal prison in North Carolina for male inmates.
Gerard Boyle, the founder and former CEO of a company that provided medical services to the Norfolk City Jail, pleaded guilty to the bribery scheme. Back in February, the 67-year-old was sentenced to three years in prison and a $35,000 fine.