JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The attorneys for former JEA CEO Aaron Zahn are asking the judge to delay his sentencing hearing.
After a 20-day trial, Zahn was found guilty of conspiracy to embezzle federal property and wire fraud at the conclusion of a nearly month-long trial, dubbed as the "largest fraud case in Jacksonville history" on March 14. His co-defendant, ex-CFO Ryan Wannemacher, was found not guilty on both of these charges.
Currently, Zahn's sentencing is set for June 18. However, both the prosecution and defense have conferred, suggesting it to be moved to July. The sentencing hearing will present "difficult legal issues for the Court to rule upon," the motion states.
"The parties are jointly available and respectfully suggest a setting of the sentencing hearing on July 24-26, 29, or 30, 2024," a court document reads.
The former CEO faces a maximum sentence of 25 years in federal prison.
Prosecutors said Zahn and Wannemacher worked behind closed doors to sell JEA, and pocket money from that sale -- potentially stealing hundreds of millions from the city.
JEA was exploring a sale at the time and considering bids as high as $11 billion which came from NextEra, the parent company of Florida Power & Light. Wannemacher and Zahn had passed an employee incentive plan through JEA's board of directors. Prosecutors said as executives, Wannemacher and Zahn stood to gain the most money and they hid from everyone, including the board, that an influx of cash from a sale would exponentially boost potential bonuses.
Zahn asked for acquittal in April.