The United States Attorney's Office

FORMER CITY OF BROOKSHIRE OFFICIALS PLEAD GUILTY TO BRIBERY

(HOUSTON, Texas) – Former City of Brookshire Mayor Keith Allen Woods and former City of Brookshire Department of Public Works Director Henry Anthony Cheney have pleaded guilty to violations of federal law arising from a bribery scheme involving City of Brookshire contracts, United States Attorney Don DeGabrielle has announced. Woods and Cheney entered their pleas before U.S. District Judge Melinda Harmon at 10:30 a.m. today.

Woods, 42, currently the Economic Development Coordinator for the City of Brookshire, and Cheney, 56, both of Brookshire, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to solicit, demand and accept bribe money or kickbacks from a local contractor in exchange for the awarding of city contracts. Specifically, they conspired to solicit, demand and agree to accept approximately $6,350 as bribes/kickbacks from a demolition contractor with intent to be influenced and rewarded in a series of transactions involving four City of Brookshire contracts worth approximately $13,250 and a transaction involving future city contracts.

According to the 6-count indictment, returned Jan. 17, 2008, Woods, who served five terms as Mayor of the City of Brookshire, and Cheney conspired with one another beginning in June 2005 to use their official positions with the City of Brookshire to commit Federal Programs Fraud. The indictment also charged Woods with four counts of using the cellular telephone system in interstate commerce, to promote, manage or facilitate the bribery of a public official in violation of the Travel Act. Woods and Cheney were each charged individually with Federal Programs Fraud. The City of Brookshire is located approximately 30 miles west of Houston in Waller County.

A conviction for conspiracy to violate Federal Programs Fraud carries a penalty of imprisonment of not more than five years and/or a fine not to exceed $250,000. The defendants are scheduled to be sentenced before Judge Harmon May 30, 2008, at 10:00 a.m. The defendants will remain on bond pending their sentencing.

This case was investigated by special agents of the FBI and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Michael Wright and Larry Eastepp.

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