Former Allegheny Co. Sheriff Sentenced To Probation, Fine

Allegheny County's former sheriff was sentenced to five years of probation and ordered to pay a $5,000 fine Friday for benefiting from strong-arm political fundraising tactics.

Pete DeFazio pleaded guilty in November to macing, the practice of pressuring subordinates to contribute to political campaigns.

Prosecutors said that DeFazio forced employees in the department to make campaign contributions. Those who did rose through the ranks and those who did not were threatened or punished with bad assignments or denied time off.

The practice had existed for decades, but prosecutors said it ended with DeFazio's guilty plea.

DeFazio, who retired in October after nearly a decade as sheriff, said Friday that he never thought his career would end the way it did.

"It's an embarrassment for me to be here," DeFazio said.

As part of his sentence, six months of his probation will be served under home confinement.

DeFazio's last months in office were marred by a federal grand jury investigation and the indictment of three of his top deputies.

William P. Mullen, who had been DeFazio's chief deputy, has been acting sheriff since DeFazio's retirement. He was hired in April, long after the fundraising scandal broke, following a career that included a stint as assistant chief in the Pittsburgh Police Department.

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Previous Stories: November 22, 2006: Former Sheriff DeFazio Talks About Guilty Plea November 21, 2006: DeFazio Cuts Deal To Avoid Criminal Charges November 20, 2006: Former Sheriff DeFazio Pleads Guilty November 1, 2006: There's A New Sheriff In Town October 11, 2006: Allegheny County Sheriff Officially Retires September 29, 2006: Allegheny County Sheriff Announces Retirement September 8, 2006: Deal May Keep Allegheny Co. Sherriff Out Of Jail December 6, 2005: Is Defazio An Indictment Target? November 7, 2004: Target 11 Uncovers List of Special Deputies September 17, 2003: Budget Showdown Brews Between Defazio, Roddey February 6, 2003: Lawsuit Between Roddey And Defazio Continues February 5, 2003: Roddey And Defazio Square Off In Court