From The Trussville Tribune staff reports
BIRMINGHAM — The disgraced former Birmingham Water Works board chairwoman managed to avoid serving any jail time following a favorable sentencing on Thursday morning.
Sherry Lewis, 57, who was found guilty on Oct. 30 on two felony ethics charges, was sentenced by Jefferson County Circuit Judge Clyde Jones to 36 months of supervised probation, 400 hours of community service and ordered to pay fines and court fees. She was found guilty on using her position for personal gain and voting on an issue that a family member had a financial interest in. She spent 22 days in jail waiting to be sentenced.
Lewis had been facing the possibility of spending 20 years in prison.
Her case centered on allegations that she used her position to obtain free meals and trips, and to get jobs for her son from water board contractors.
Lewis was convicted of using her position to obtain jobs for her son, football bowl tickets, lavish meals and alcohol from a contractor. Meanwhile, she voted for a contractor to receive inflated payments from the Birmingham Water Works Board, authorities said.
Lewis once resided over a Birmingham Water Works company board that currently has found itself billions of dollars in debt despite continuously raising rates over the years. The board recently voted to increase consumer’s rates to 3.9% after a 5-1 vote.
According to media reports, the Judge was “impressed with the large number of letters supporting Lewis,” in regards to his decision to sentence her to probation instead of any jail time.
Lewis is expected to be released from custody Thursday.