Former Jailer Sentenced for Kickback Scheme

Former Fulton County Jailer Ricky Parnell has been sentenced for conspiring to defraud Fulton County taxpayers during the expansion of the county detention center.

In a press release, U.S. Attorney John E. Kuhn, Jr., said Parnell was sentenced to 97 months in prison.

“Public corruption simply cannot be tolerated,” Kuhn said. “Corrupt public officials erode the fairness and integrity of our public institutions, and they undermine the public’s trust in our government. I hope this conviction and restitution will reassure the public that the Department of Justice will hold elected officials to the highest standards of honesty and integrity – and that we will seek repayment of every tax dollar spent corruptly by public officials.”

Parnell coordinated a scheme with contractors and suppliers where he helped get them contracts on the project. They over-charged the county during construction of the detention center, and Parnell got a kick-back from each of them. He received money and other items valued at $175,000 or more.

Along with co-defendants Michael Homra, Danny Larcom and Ron Armstrong, a total of $154,000 in restitution is owed to the county. Homra has paid $32,500 and Larcom paid $22,000. The remaining $100,000 balance is due by Parnell and Armstrong.

In April, the 59-year-old former jailer pleaded guilty to several charges, including honest services fraud and multiple counts of wire fraud. 

Larcom, Armstrong and Homra pleaded guilty to charges for their participation in the conspiracy. Armstrong was sentenced to 35 months in prison, while Larcom and Homra were each sentenced to 2 years of probation.

The illegal activity took place between April 2015 and August 2016. Parnell served as the Fulton County Jailer from 1990 until late last year.