A retired western Kentucky jailer has been sentenced to more than eight years in prison for running a kickback scheme during a $3 million jail expansion.
The U.S. attorney's office said 59-year-old Ricky Parnell of Hickman was sentenced Monday in U.S. District Court in Paducah to 97 months. Prosecutors say Parnell used his position as Fulton County jailer in 2015 and 2016 to solicit and take payments and gifts from contractors in exchange for influencing bids.
Parnell admitted directing contractors to overcharge Fulton County for services and supplies, which resulted in kickbacks to Parnell.
Parnell and three other defendants are liable for the full amount of restitution totaling $154,000.
