Former Stenger chief of staff sentenced to 15 months

ST. LOUIS — The top aide to former St. Louis County Executive Steve Stenger has been sentenced to 15 months in federal prison for helping Stenger carry out his pay-for-play scheme.

A judge on Friday sentenced Bill Miller, Stenger’s chief of staff. Miller pleaded guilty in May to theft of honest services through bribery and wire fraud.

Stenger, a Democrat, was sentenced last month to nearly four years in prison and fined $250,000. He pleaded guilty in May to corruption charges for providing political favours in exchange for campaign donations.

The county’s former economic development agency chief, Sheila Sweeney , was sentenced to probation and fined $20,000 for her role in the scheme.

Businessman John Rallo faces sentencing Oct. 15 for bribery.

Miller must serve three years of probation after his sentence.

The Associated Press