51°
Former Yonkers City Councilwoman Sandy Annabi and her political mentor, former city Republican party leader Zehy Jereis, were found guilty of conspiracy, bribery and extortion in March for their roles in a corruption scandal.
Eight months later, Annabi was sentenced to six years in federal prison while Jereis was given a four-year sentence.
In addition to prison time, Annabi and Jereis each were sentenced to two years of supervised release. Annabi also was ordered to forfeit more than $1 million in loans and bribes while paying tens of thousands of dollars in legal fees and restitution.
The sentences stemmed from accusations that Jereis paid Annabi nearly $200,000 to control her vote on the council, specifically the controversial Ridge Hill development and the failed attempts to turn the former Longfellow School into upscale housing.
Prosecutors also linked expensive items, like a Rolex watch, a diamond necklace and airline ticket upgrades that Annabi bought, to the bribe payments from Jereis.
The defense argued the gifts, which also included money for a Rumsey Road apartment, were tokens of a failed romantic courtship from the married GOP leader.
The jury didn't buy the argument and found Annabi, 42, and Jereis, 40, guilty of two conspiracy charges, one corruption charge and an extortion charge.
In addition, Annabi was convicted of one additional corruption charge, three counts of making a false statement to a bank and two counts of filing false tax returns.
Jereis also was found guilty of making corrupt payments.
Both are scheduled to report to federal prison March 4.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Yonkers and receive free news updates.
