Federal prosecutors say a former Arkansas circuit judge should be sentenced to 10 years in prison for lowering a jury award in exchange for campaign donations from a nursing home operator.
In a filing Tuesday, U.S. attorneys say former Faulkner County Circuit Judge Michael Maggio lied to the Arkansas Ethics Commission, failed to cooperate under his plea agreement and failed a lie detector test when asked about details of the alleged bribery.
On Monday, Maggio filed a request asking for leniency and probation when he's sentenced Thursday.
Prosecutors say probation is not an option and Maggio should also pay compensation to the family for the $4.2 million reduction in a jury's award related to the bribery charge.
A judge denied Maggio's request to withdraw his guilty plea earlier this month.
