Former Melissa Mayor Charged With Extortion
PLANO (CBSDFW.COM) - The former mayor of a North Texas city has been indicted in connection with a bribery scheme. David E. Dorman has been charged with extortion. The 66-year-old was previously the mayor of Melissa, located in Collin County, just to the north of McKinney.
According to the indictment, when Dorman was serving as mayor in 2007, he solicited a $70,000 bribe from 65-year-old John Christie of Frisco, in exchange for the City of Melissa annexing a piece of land from the City of McKinney. Christie had planned to develop the land and sell it to potential customers. The cities of Melissa and McKinney approved the annexation.
Letters from Dorman indicate that Christie made a cash payment of $10,000 and two $10,000 check payments.
Dorman's attorney, Barry Sorrels, released a email statement about the charge on Thursday morning. "David Dorman has a long and distinguished history of service to his country and community," Sorrels said. "An Army veteran, entrepreneur, business leader and tireless volunteer, his tenure as mayor from 1999 to 2009 effectively prepared the City of Melissa for a future of growth and prosperity."
Sorrels added that Dorman plans to plead not guilty and "vigorously fight this charge." If convicted, Dorman faces up to 20 years in prison. Christie has also been charged with misprision of a felony, and faces up to three years in prison for his role in the scheme. The case is still being investigated by the FBI.
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