Ricks found guilty

HUNTSVILLE - Robert Ricks faces up to 20 years in federal prison, a fine of up to $250,000 or both after his conviction Wednesday of extorting money from a mechanic when he was Leighton's mayor.

Ricks, 60, displayed no emotion as U.S. District Judge Virginia Emerson Hopkins announced the verdict that marked the end of a trial that began Monday at the federal courthouse in Huntsville. A jury of eight men and four women deliberated four hours before reaching the verdict.

A sentencing date has not been set for Ricks, who was Leighton's mayor from 2001 until 2004. He is free on a $500 unsecured bond while awaiting sentencing.

During the trial, John Cox, who operated an garage in Leighton when Ricks was mayor, testified the defendant asked him to inflate the cost of repairing the town's vehicles and to submit invoices for work he did not perform. Cox told jurors that he and Ricks split the money from the scheme.

Testifying in his own defense Tuesday, Ricks denied extorting money from Cox.

Cox testified that he cooperated with Ricks because he feared he would not be allowed to repair the town's vehicles if he refused. He testified that repairing the town's vehicles accounted for about 25 percent of his business.

In his closing argument Wednesday, Assistant U.S. Attorney Russell Penfield told jurors Cox's belief he would lose the town's businesses if he did not cooperate with Ricks was sufficient grounds to convict the defendant of extortion.

"Robert Ricks extorted money in this case. He took money from John Cox and ultimately the city of Leighton," Penfield told jurors.

In his closing argument, defense attorney Tim Case, of Florence, urged jurors to acquit Ricks. He contended the government failed to prove its case. "They cannot prove this happened."

After the verdict, Case declined to comment on the trial's outcome.

Penfield said he was please with "the jury's verdict, their service, the serious consideration they gave the case and the time they took to reach their verdict."

Ricks' legal troubles are not over. He was indicted by a Colbert County grand jury in July for intentionally using his office for personal gain after an investigation by the state attorney general's office. A trial date has not been set for the state charges.

Dennis Sherer can be reached at 740-5746 or dennis.sherer@timesdaily.com.