Interim Jackson County Executive Phil LeVota Indicted for Bribery in Relation to Upcoming Election
Prosecutors say he offered a six-figure county job and other positions to persuade a candidate to leave the 2026 county executive race.
- On Thursday, a federal grand jury indicted Interim Jackson County Executive Phil LeVota on five counts including honest services fraud, federal program bribery, Travel Act violations, and making false statements to law enforcement.
- Prosecutors allege that between March 16 and March 31, 2026, LeVota attempted to induce a candidate to abandon the Jackson County Executive race by offering a $165,000 county government position in exchange for withdrawal.
- Investigators claim LeVota offered the Jackson County Parks and Recreation director role to the candidate, identified as DaRon McGee, and allegedly made false statements to FBI agents on April 6 when approached about the arrangement.
- LeVota pleaded not guilty at his initial court appearance Thursday and 'categorically' denied the allegations, stating he never suggested a candidate withdraw from the race in exchange for employment.
- A federal judge set a preliminary trial date for September 14 while LeVota remains in office with five months remaining in his term as questions about public trust in county government persist.
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County Executive LeVota denies allegations in federal indictment of high-paying job for political favor
By Jeff Fox jeff.fox@examiner,net Jackson County Executive Phil LeVota on Thursday afternoon pleaded not guilty to federal charges of bribery in connection with an allegation… Login to continue reading Login Sign up for complimentary access Sign Up Now Close The post County Executive LeVota denies allegations in federal indictment of high-paying job for political favor appeared first on The Examiner.
Phil LeVota facing federal indictment for bribery in 2026 Jackson County Executive election
Interim Jackson County Executive is facing an indictment by a federal grand jury for an alleged bribery scheme in connection with the 2026 election of the Jackson County Executive.
Interim Jackson County Executive Phil LeVota charged with bribing rival to drop out of 2026 election
A federal grand jury indictment accuses LeVota of trying to convince a candidate for the Jackson County executive race to withdraw, in exchange for positions in county government. LeVota called a news conference denying the allegations.
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