Former Reading Mayor Vaughn Spencer sentenced to 8 years in federal prison for pay-to-play scheme

PHILADELPHIA, PA — Vaughn D. Spencer will spend the next eight years in federal prison.

Chief U.S. District Judge Juan R. Sanchez sentenced the former Reading mayor on Wednesday to 96 months in prison followed by three years of probation during a hearing in Philadelphia. Spencer, 71, was also ordered to pay a $35,000 fine.

A jury in August convicted Spencer on 11 counts — nine of bribery and one each of conspiracy and wire fraud — following a two-week federal bribery trial. Earlier Wednesday, before issuing the prison sentence, Sanchez issued a ruling dismissing two of the counts.

Over the objection of federal prosecutors, who wanted Spencer taken into custody immediately, Sanchez gave Spencer 45 days to turn himself in to begin serving his sentence.

Read more: https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/former-reading-mayor-vaughn-spencer-sentenced-to-8-years-in-federal-prison-for-pay-to-play-scheme