A Novato man is facing corruption charges in connection with selling used water meters from a variety of Northern California locations including Sonoma.
U. S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott and FBI Special Agent-in-Charge Drew Parenti announced on Friday that Sheldon Morris, 76, of Novato, had pleaded guilty to making unlawful bribes to municipal employees of both Sacramento and Sonoma and admitted to making additional bribes to municipal employees of San Francisco.
In the plea agreement, Morris admitted to selling used water meters on behalf of Sonoma’s water department, and maintaining a portion of the proceeds in a “slush fund” that he later would disburse to the Water Operations Supervisor (described in the document as “Randall C.”). In addition, the document stated Morris sold parts and equipment for the department at the supervisor’s request and then sent him kickbacks. The document states that between 2002 and 2007, Morris gave the Sonoma official 38 checks, totaling $149,529.84, and cash totaling approximately $1,500. The money was a reward for the supervisor’s allowing Morris to conduct the sales of used water meters and other equipment to the department.
“It is an on-going investigation,” Sonoma City Manager Linda Kelly said today. “We are cooperating with federal investigators.”
