By Mary Hladky
Nearly three years after her arrest on public corruption charges, former Boca Raton Mayor Susan Haynie still does not have a trial date.
Both the prosecution and defense agreed last month to delay a hearing on the status of her case from Jan. 11 until April 16. Both cited disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
While Palm Beach County jury trials have resumed, only a limited number are being held.Haynie, 66, was arrested on April 24, 2018, on charges of official misconduct, perjury, misuse of public office and failure to disclose voting conflicts. She faces more than 20 years in prison if convicted. Haynie has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Prosecutors contend that Haynie used her position on the City Council to vote on six matters that financially benefited James Batmasian, the city’s largest downtown commercial landowner, and failed to disclose income she received from him.
In the waning days of his presidency, Donald Trump issued a full pardon to Batmasian. The Republican donor served eight months in prison in 2008 for failing to pay the IRS $253,513 in payroll taxes for employees of his real estate company, Investments Limited. He reimbursed the government the full amount owed. Ú
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