ST. LOUIS (CN) - A juror in a St. Louis car dealer's tax trial admitted she sought a bribe for a not-guilty verdict. Dorothy Hendricks, 54, of St. Croix, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in the Virgin Islands to seeking a bribe as a public official. Jurors are considered public officials under criminal law.
Hendricks said she contacted a lawyer representing Jamie Auffenberg, a prominent St. Louis-area car dealer, and asked for $3,000 to $5,000 for a not-guilty verdict. Auffenberg was one of several people and companies accused of conspiracy, fraud and tax evasion for allegedly misusing Virgin Island tax incentives to dodge $74 million in taxes through a partnership called Kapok Inc.
All of the defendants were acquitted.
Hendricks could face up to 15 years in prison.
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