From: The Republic
MIAMI — A former juror in a South Florida federal criminal case has pleaded guilty to soliciting a bribe in exchange for helping sway the panel not to vote for conviction.
Prosecutors say 55-year-old Italo Campagna could get up to 15 years in prison. Campagna pleaded guilty Thursday in Miami federal court.
Documents show Campagna met in October with the brother of a man charged in a cigarette smuggling case. Campagna said he would try to persuade jurors to acquit the defendant for between $50,000 and $100,000.
The brother contacted the FBI, which recorded a telephone call between the two discussing the proposed bribe. When they arranged to meet later, Campagna was arrested.
A mistrial was declared in the cigarette smuggling and a new trial got started this week.
