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Contractor's Probation Reduced In Tampa Housing Bribery Case
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Published: May 9, 2008
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TAMPA – A building contractor who admitted taking bribes from former city housing chief Steve LaBrake has been released early from his probation sentence.
Dean Ryan, 68, pleaded guilty in 2004 to bribing a public official and conspiracy to commit federal offenses. He testified in the LaBrake trial and was sentenced in 2005 to five years of probation and six months of house arrest.
Ryan finished paying his court-ordered restitution of $72,000 in September, and his attorney filed a motion asking that his probation be terminated early. Today, U.S. District Judge Richard Lazarra granted the motion, shaving two years off Ryan's probation.
LaBrake and his wife, Lynn, were convicted in November 2004 on more than 25 counts each of conspiracy and wire fraud and more than two dozen charges of accepting gratuities.
Ryan had built the LaBrakes a 4,200-square-foot South Tampa home for a cut-rate price in exchange for several inflated home-building contracts paid for with federal dollars.
He said during the trial that he didn't know he was committing a crime until he met with federal agents several times. His testimony was considered crucial to the government's case against the LaBrakes, which involved explaining a complex trail of money to jurors.
Steve and Lynn LaBrake remain in prison. A judge sentenced them to five years and nearly 3 1/2 years in prison, respectively. Steve Labrake, incarcerated in Pensacola, has a projected release date of March 22, 2009. Lynn LaBrake, who is imprisoned in Orlando, is set to be released in June.
Ryan's attorney, Ronald P. Hanes, wrote in his motion that Ryan's actions "were primarily the result of Steve LaBrake's manipulation rather than his own criminal intentions or greed."
Hanes noted that LaBrake hired him to frame LaBrake's house and then "insisted on multiple and expensive additions," getting behind on payments. "LaBrake turned to Mr. Ryan to carry the expenses of the construction. Mr. Ryan had subcontractors and employees relying on him for their livelihood, and Mr. Ryan found himself in a very difficult position."
Ryan paid $16,500 for a pool at LaBrake's residence and $13,379 for a credit card debt in exchange for LaBrake having the city award Ryan contrcts for 14 new homes, paying him $30,000.
"Essentially, LaBrake used city contracts to pay off LaBrake's own debts through Mr. Ryan," Hanes wrote.
Hanes described Ryan as "a simple and humble man" who "learned a painful lesson from this case."
"As a result of this offense," Hanes wrote, "Mr. Ryan lost his career, company and reputation. … Mr. Ryan has been punished to an extent that an additional two years of probation will not serve any considerable purpose."
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Reader Comments
Posted by ( jeweltay ) on May 9, 2008 at 1:34 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I have personally known Dean Ryan for 38 years. He is my ex-father-in-law and I never met a kinder more loving man. He would give you the shirt off his back if he thought you needed one. I am so glad that the judge took the two years off his probation.
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Posted by ( Reality ) on May 9, 2008 at 1:41 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I don't know Dean Ryan and he is not my ex-father-in-law. He knew exactly why what he was doing was wrong, and he did it anyway. He still feels it wasn't his fault and takes no responsibility. The man is a scam artist. The world would be safer if he was in jail, not having his probation reduced.
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Posted by ( Claylisa ) on May 9, 2008 at 1:44 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
White-collar crime.
Love to see what the stereotypers and xenophobes say about this....
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Posted by ( crysntrin ) on May 9, 2008 at 2:32 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I agree with reality. dont take up for this scumbag. A truly shady character.
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Posted by ( bossimareek ) on May 9, 2008 at 2:40 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
well atleast the money was paid back and he has done what he was suppose to do so let the guy off we have more important things going on in society like teacher's and kids or kids molesting kids.
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Posted by ( kimbo ) on May 9, 2008 at 3:01 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Why are the LaBrake's getting off so light! I hope they are also paying back the Taxpayers.
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Posted by ( RangerDave ) on May 9, 2008 at 3:18 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
jeweltay...even nice people make bad choices. It doesn't release them from suffering consequences. How many shirts did your ex-father-in-law take off the backs of other Contractors and workers who had no hope of getting those contracts because of back door deals? How much time was wasted bidding for proposals and following the rules? How many deals did the other Contractors loose because they concentrated their efforts on these bids vs. other bids they actually had a chance at winning? HE IS 68 YEARS OLD...HE KNEW EXACTLY WHAT HE WAS DOING! Get a clue!!!
Reality...well written.
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Posted by ( jbsteel ) on May 9, 2008 at 5:14 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
He paid off all his restitution. He completed all his terms of probation. Why should he still be on probation?
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