Maddox, Carter-Smith expected to enter guilty plea Tuesday

August 6, 2019

TALLAHASSEE, Fla (WCTV) -- Suspended Tallahassee City Commissioner Scott Maddox and longtime associate Paige Carter-Smith are expected to enter a guilty plea to corruption charges Tuesday morning.

The change of plea hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. in Tallahassee’s federal court.

The two are facing 44 counts including bribery and extortion. Federal prosecutors claim they used the consulting firm Governance Inc as a conduit for accepting bribes from companies doing business with the city.

It’s not clear yet to which charges they intend to plead guilty or the maximum penalties they could face.

The duo will not be sentenced Tuesday, but the judge could set a sentencing date.

The U.S. Attorney, Lawrence Keefe, is expected to address the media 30 minutes after the plea hearing concludes.

Tallahassee businessman JT Burnette, who is also charged in the conspiracy, will be in federal court later in the day. A status hearing is scheduled for 1 p.m. Burnette is currently set for trial in November.

There are several other individuals and companies referenced in the indictment who have yet to be named. It’s not clear if Tuesday’s plea – and any possible cooperation from Maddox and Carter-Smith – could lead to further indictments.

: Federal subpoenas are issued to the City of Tallahassee and the Community Redevelopment Agency

: A third subpoena was issued for the most recent five years of Maddox’s communications

: A federal search warrant for Maddox’ Apple iCloud account was accidentally made public

: Scott Maddox and Paige Carter-Smith indicted

: Governor Rick Scott suspends Scott Maddox from Tallahassee City Commission

: Trial date delayed from January 14 to February 11

: Trial date delayed, status conference set for March 29

: Judge denies motion to drop more than half of the charges against Maddox, Carter-Smith

: Maddox and Carter-Smith trial date set for November 4

: J.T. Burnette indicted, trial date set for June 17

: Burnette files to sever his case from Maddox and Carter-Smith and delay to February 2020

: Maddox and Carter-Smith schedule a change of plea hearing