BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor
Last Thursday, U. S. Magistrate Judge Thomas Wilson appointed a private attorney to represent a former Hillsborough County Commissioner. He was arrested last month on bribery, wire fraud, and other charges.
During the brief hearing, White entered a plea of not guilty. White also provided information to the judge demonstrating that he could not afford to hire a private attorney to represent him.
When contacted by the Sentinel, defense Attorney Grady Irvin, Jr., stated that he had been appointed to represent Kevin White on the federal charges. He declined to comment further.
The Federal Public Defender’s Office has a list of attorneys who qualify as court-appointed attorneys for individuals who cannot afford to hire legal representation.
Attorney Irvin is on that list. His fees are limited to $7,500 paid with tax dollars. However, court appointed attorneys can seek additional payment depending on the case.
If convicted, White could face up to 20 years in prison.[private]
On June 15th, ?Federal Bureau of Investigation agents arrested White at his residence.
Agents also arrested George Hondrellis, 45, on federal charges. Both men were charged with conspiracy to commit bribery; 4 counts of bribery; conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud; mail fraud, wire fraud, and making false statements to law enforcement.
Bail was set at $25,000 for White and $50,000 for Hondrellis. White’s father, Gerald White, who died May 23rd, was also named as a co-conspirator, the indictment stated.
The charges stem was White’s service on the Public Transportation Commission as an elected official.
According to the indictment, White served on the Public Transportation Commission from 2006 to 2010, first while a member of the Tampa City Council, and later as a County Commissioner. White served as Chairman of the Public Transportation Commission, (PTC) which oversees permits for vehicles such as taxis, limos, tow trucks, and ambulances.
The indictment stated that as part of a conspiracy, Hondrellis opened the Tampa City Towing Company and allegedly conspired with others to get on the rotation list of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and the Tampa Police Department.
White is alleged to have attempted to get the company on the lists using his influence and position. White allegedly received more than $10,000 in payments in 2010, the indictment stated.
The federal investigation began in September 2009. Hondrellis met with a Confidential Informant and allegedly “explained that the PTC was giving away towing certificates for money.
“The towing certificates enabled companies to be eligible to get on the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and Tampa Police Department rotating lists.”
The indictment further stated that in November 2009, the Confidential Informant allegedly met with Hondrellis and paid him $1,000 in cash. “The payment was for the CI’s half of the $2,000 payment previously made to Gerald White, Kevin White’s father.”
Hondrellis introduced the CI to Gerald and Kevin White in January 2010, and the CI was reportedly told to give the men $1,000.
The indictment alleges that the CI gave Gerald White a Lincoln Navigator and stated that his son could assist the CI and his company. The indictment stated that several meetings, some of which were recorded or videotaped, took place.
Kevin White allegedly met with an undercover federal agent, known as “Darryl,” on April 29, 2010, for the first time at Ruth Chris Steakhouse. The two men allegedly discussed getting the towing company on the rotation list.
White allegedly accepted $1,000 from “Darryl” in cash after the meeting. In May 2010, White allegedly told “Darryl” during a telephone conversation that his application was approved.
“Darryl” allegedly gave Kevin White $5,000 in June during a luncheon after White had indicated he needed $10,000, the indictment stated.
It further stated that on June 18, 2010, White called the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and attempted to assist the Tri County Auto Towing, Inc., (“Darryl” and CI’s company), be placed on the Sheriff’s rotation list.
The charge of untruthfulness came about following a meeting March 2, 2011, White had with two federal agents.
During the meeting, White told the agents “Darryl” “did not provide him cash on any occasion and never solicited his influence for helping” his (“Darryl”) towing company.[/private]
