JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Former JEA CEO Aaron Zahn will receive his sentencing for conspiracy and wire fraud inside a federal courtroom Tuesday afternoon.
Zahn was found guilty at the conclusion of a month-long trial, which began in February and ended in March. The jury agreed that Zahn had in fact conspired to embezzle federal property in 2019 when he created a bonus scheme that would disproportionately benefit JEA's top-ranking employees -- namely, himself. The plan relied on JEA being privatized and sold, meaning Jacksonville's residents would lose out on public ownership of the utility. Prosecutors say that had the plan been approved, Zahn could have made over $40 million.
Ryan Wannemacher, ex-JEA CFO, was also accused in the case, but was found not guilty.
In a document submitted to the federal court, Zahn utilizes his life story, including anecdotes about childhood bullying and his Olympic swimming ambitions to promote himself as "promising young man" who doesn't deserve to be punished. He faces a maximum of 25 years in prison.
This story will be updated upon sentencing.
