On Friday, Indian River County Circuit Judge Michael Linn scheduled sentencing for recalled Sebastian City Council members Damian Gilliams and Pamela Parris for August 23, 2021, at 1:30 p.m.
The original sentencing date was postponed after Gilliams filed a motion to try and disqualify the judge, which the appeals court denied.
As for sentencing, prosecutors will probably ask for jail time, probation, and restitution to recover expenses that Gilliams, Parris, and Charles Mauti cost the City of Sebastian for having the illegal meeting.
“The State will probably ask for jail time, probation to follow, cost of investigating the crime, cost associated with prosecution (transcription costs, cost of witness travel, etc.) and restitution to the city related to the crime,” Asst. State Attorney Lev Evans told Sebastian Daily.
Sitting with a cane during the virtual hearing on Zoom, Parris told the judge that she was awaiting back surgery but could “workaround” the sentencing date.
Gilliams, who owns and operates the No Name Bar with his son in Sebastian, didn’t say much as he sat wearing a suit with a City of Sebastian pin on his jacket.
Gilliams and Parris were convicted of violating the Sunshine Law and perjury for lying to investigators.
Gilliams faces 180 days in jail and a maximum fine of $1,500 on the Sunshine Law violations, plus up to 365 days in prison and a penalty of up to $1,000 fine and probation for the perjury conviction.
Parris faces 60 days in jail and a $500 fine on the Sunshine Law violations, plus up to 730 days (2 years) in prison, a fine of $2,000, and up to two years probation.
Last month, Gilliams and his son Damien Lee Fey Gilliams were arrested after allegedly filing a false police report against Sebastian Vice Mayor Jim Hill, accusing him of battery. However, investigators said the courthouse video they obtained did not show any such battery as alleged in the police report.
“The Sheriff’s Office is not going to stand for false allegations. The video evidence was clear and showed the allegations were not true. There are consequences for making a false report,” Lieutenant Pat White, Criminal Investigations for Indian River County Sheriff’s Office, told Sebastian Daily.
