Former Parks and Rec employee sentenced to 15 months

COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) - A former City of Columbia has been sentenced to 15 months in prison ordered to pay over $12,000 in restitution to the city for a kickback scheme.

Damon McDuffie, 35, was sentenced for extorting, soliciting, and accepting illegal kickbacks after entering a guilty plea back in December 2011.

A federal investigation found McDuffie began soliciting illegal kickbacks from contractors while employed with the city's Parks and Recreation department in return for agreeing to steer city business. Investigators say that scheme began in 2006 and ended in the summer of 2010.

The investigation began after a contractor came forward and told officials he paid McDuffie $5,000 in return for his assistance in steering a contract involving the refurbishment of the Riverfront Park footbridge.

McDuffie could have faced up to 20 years in prison.

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