I Bribed The Sheriff

A guilty plea drew an interim suspension from the Michigan Attorney Discipline Board

On November 20, 2023, respondent pleaded guilty to one count of Bribery Concerning Programs Receiving Federal Funds, in violation of 18 USC § 666(a)(2), a felony, in United States v Fredric R. Gumbinner, United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia – Charlottesville Division, Case No. 3:23CR00011-003. Upon the acceptance of respondent’s guilty plea and in accordance with MCR 9.120(B)(1), respondent’s license to practice law in Michigan was automatically suspended.

NBC 4 Washington reported

Four years ago, Virginia businessman Fredric Gumbinner paid thousands of dollars to become a Culpeper County auxiliary sheriff’s deputy.

According to an assistant U.S. attorney in court and the indictment against him, Gumbinner gave $20,000 to Rick Rahim, another auxiliary deputy, on Oct. 1, 2019, with intent to influence and reward Sheriff Scott Jenkins.

Gumbinner’s attorney admitted the sheriff got at least some of that money as a quid pro quo bribe to make Gumbinner an auxiliary deputy.

According to the indictment, Jenkins never reported a campaign contribution from Gumbinner. The I-Team confirmed that after reviewing campaign filings for the sheriff.

In court Monday, Gumbinner responded to the judge in one- or two-word answers, including pleading “guilty” to the bribery charge.

Gumbinner’s is just one of the bribes Jenkins is accused of accepting. As part of his plea deal, other counts against Gumbinner were dropped. He could face years in prison and won’t be back in court for sentencing until July.

Gumbinner didn’t talk to the News4 I-Team as he walked in and out of court Monday.

Jenkins, who just lost his reelection bid this month, is scheduled to go on trial in May. According to Gumbinner’s plea agreement, he is obligated to testify.

Both Jenkins and Rahim have pleaded not guilty. Their attorneys had no comment about Monday’s development.

(Mike Frisch)