Pubdate: Thu, 27 Sep 2007 Source: Fayetteville Observer (NC) Copyright: 2007 Fayetteville Observer Contact: http://www.fayobserver.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/150 Author: Greg Barnes RALEIGH -- Former Robeson County Sheriff Glenn Maynor pleaded guilty Wednesday to perjury and conspiring to misapply federal money. Maynor, who is 61, declined to comment after the hearing in U.S. District Court in Raleigh. He was charged two weeks ago in a two-count bill of criminal information. Each count carries a sentence of no more than five years and a $250,000 fine. Maynor's sentencing has not been scheduled. "North Carolinians must have confidence in the integrity of our peace officers. Prosecuting corrupt law enforcement officials is a top priority," U.S. Attorney George E.B. Holding said in a statement. Maynor becomes the highest ranking of 20 former Robeson County law enforcement officers to plead guilty since a state and federal investigation called Operation Tarnished Badge began nearly five years ago. The investigation continues. Wes Camden, an assistant U.S. attorney, said the Robeson County Sheriff's Office received more than $10,000 in federal money meant for law enforcement programs between September 2002 and September 2003. Camden said Maynor conspired with his deputies to use $5,000 or more of that money to benefit the former sheriff personally and politically. Maynor solicited employees to clear trees and other debris from his property, to collect contributions for his political campaigns and to work fundraisers for his campaigns, including his annual golf tournament, Camden said. The deputies were paid for their time. Camden said Maynor also lied to a grand jury when he said he had no knowledge that some of his deputies had participated in satellite TV piracy. Maynor not only knew that his deputies were pirating the TV signals, he was involved himself, according to his indictment. Maynor resigned as sheriff after 10 years in December 2004, citing health reasons. Two other former deputies -- Robert Ivey and Hobert "Frankie" Britt -- pleaded guilty Wednesday to conspiring to commit satellite TV piracy. Ivey retired this summer as a field agent with the state Alcohol Law Enforcement agency. All 20 of the law officers who have pleaded guilty are awaiting sentencing. Sentencing hearings that had been set for this week for most of the deputies have been postponed indefinitely. Only former deputy Vincent Sinclair is being kept in jail while awaiting sentencing. A court order dated Sept. 18 gave state and federal authorities permission to relocate Sinclair so he could take a polygraph and be debriefed. Deputies have pleaded guilty to everything from pirating TV signals to charges of racketeering, kidnapping, theft of federal money, money laundering and distribution of drugs. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake