Bribery Charges Will Be Refiled

A federal appeals court decision announced Monday paves the way for prosecutors to refile bribery and other charges against San Bernardino County Supervisor Jerry Eaves and Orange County billboard company owner William S. “Shep” McCook, federal officials said.

The U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in Pasadena ruled Friday that a District Court judge erred in denying a motion by the U.S. attorney’s office to dismiss charges against the pair, who are accused of being involved in a bribery scheme that included payoffs to Eaves and other public officials who voted on lucrative billboard contracts.

Prosecutors requested the dismissal so they could refile the charges in a way that would satisfy concerns raised by the trial court judge handling the case.