Pine Lawn Mayor Sylvester Caldwell pleaded guilty to one count each of extortion involving a convenience store and attempted extortion involving a towing company in federal court Monday.
Caldwell agreed to resign as mayor as a condition of remaining at liberty on bail until sentencing July 7.
Each count carries a maximum penalty of three years in prison and $200,000 fine. Caldwell’s guilty plea will be calculated into his sentence as part of the agreement with prosecutors.
According to KMOV.com, Caldwell’s lawyers acknowledged that he had taken bribes in their opening statement, but said his actions did not amount to extortion.
Information from KMOV.com contributed to this report.