Ralph Hawkins, who served as a Washoe County deputy before the incident's discovery, plead guilty to accepting bribes from an associate of Francis, who wanted the GGW principal to receive preferential treatment during his jail time in Reno. In exchange for tickets to Oakland Raiders football games, along with $3,200 in cash, Hawkins reportedly smuggled in barbecued chicken, sushi and other food items for the jailed Francis, who was fighting tax evasion charges for which he was later convicted.
"I whole heartedly regret my behavior. I not only lost my career but more importantly, harmed my family and tarnished the image of not only the Washoe County Sheriff's Office but all of the law enforcement community," Hawkins said. "I greatly regret that."
Hawkins faced nearly a year in prison over the crime, but U.S. prosecutors plead for leniency because of Hawkins' cooperation in the case. Instead, he was fined $4,000 and sentenced to three years probation — a penalty which the judge found to be in line with his profits.
"I simply cannot tolerate [him] walking away with any profit from this transaction," U.S. District Court Judge Robert C. Jones said. "The person incarcerated was a real scoundrel and he got away with extraordinary treatment."
"There is nothing worse than the offense of public corruption other than murder or assault or battery," Jones added. "In my opinion it is worse than drug charges."
Also involved in the case is Francis associate Aaron Weinstein, who was charged with three counts of bribery. Weinstein plead guilty to the lesser charge of providing contraband in prison and now faces up to six months of jail time plus a $5,000 fine.
