Commissioner resigns over fraud
WEST PALM BEACH (AP) – A Palm Beach County commissioner has resigned and says she plans to plead guilty to federal corruption charges.
Mary McCarty offered her resignation on Thursday in a letter to the commission, admitting she accepted free and discounted hotel rooms and services, among other misdeeds.
McCarty is the third Palm Beach County commissioner in recent years to resign and face prison as a result of corruption charges. Two other former commissioners are serving five-year sentences.
Federal authorities have not yet announced any charges against McCarty but have been investigating her for months.
Gov. Charlie Crist will now appoint a replacement to fill her seat until her term expires.
In 2007, the FBI beefed up its West Palm Beach office to pursue more public corruption cases.