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Ernie Haire Juror Guilty Of False Report

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By ELAINE SILVESTRINI

esilvestrini@tampatrib.com

Published: February 26, 2009

TAMPA - A member of a jury that ordered a prominent car dealer to pay millions in an age discrimination case has been found guilty of filing a false police report.

Trevor Johnston, 22, was part of the jury that in April awarded $5.8 million to a former wholesale manager at Ernie Haire Ford who said he was illegally fired.

After the civil trial, Johnston told the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office that a representative of Ernie Haire's offered him $75,000 to help the car dealer's appeal.

After an investigation, detectives accused Johnston of lying and charged him with filing a false police report.

Last week, Johnston was sentenced to a year of probation, according to court records. He also must complete 500 hours of community service, including 100 hours on the sheriff's office work detail, and pay$2,400 in investigation costs and $175 in court costs.

Johnston, who has worked for car dealerships, was ordered to get a full-time job or show proof he has applied for at least four jobs a day.

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