Former Leighton mayor sentenced to 12 months probation in extortion case

BIRMINGHAM - Former Leighton Mayor Robert Ricks was sentenced to 12 months probation today following his September conviction on federal extortion charges.

As part of the sentence, Ricks will also be placed on house arrest and forced to follow certain restrictions.

The sentence was handed down today by U.S. District Judge Virginia Emerson Hopkins.

Ricks was convicted of planning an extortion scheme involving a former mechanic who did work for Leighton. In the scheme, the mechanic reportedly inflated invoices or submitted fake invoices to the town, with the money being split between the mayor and him.

The sentencing report filed in the case recommended a sentence of up to 41 months in prison. Prosecutors argued that a prison sentence was needed to send a message to other public officials who might consider violating the public's trust.

In announcing her ruling, Hopkins said the conviction was not consistent with the way Ricks conducted his life in the past. She also noted that Ricks did not have any prior convictions.