The former Director of the Iowa film office was sentenced yesterday to probation on one count of official misconduct yesterday. The Des Moines Register reports:
Polk County District Judge Douglas Staskal granted Wheeler a deferred judgment following a Tuesday morning sentencing hearing. The decision means Wheeler, who faced up to five years in prison after his September conviction for felonious misconduct in office, will have that conviction sealed from public view if he successfully completes two years of probation.
Considering that Mr. Wheeler was charged with 10 felony counts, that’s a pretty good result for the man who seems to have been designated the goat for the disastrous film credit program.
In contrast, there will be no accountability for the Governor who delegated the administration of a huge new state subsidy to a man who’s prior relevant experience was as a film tech at Walgreens. There is no public accounting for Mr. Wheeler’s supervisor, who showed little curiosity about all of the money being given away as long as there were photo ops with starlets to be had. There will be no public apology by the 143 legislators* who eagerly voted for this misconceived and poorly-designed program that sent millions of taxpayer dollars to Hollywood.
One film figure has received a ten year sentence for defrauding the credit program. Two other filmmakers and a film credit broker are scheduled for trial next year. As it has led to no charges, the state has apparently concluded that it was perfectly legal for a filmmaker to drive home with a taxpayer-funded Mercedes. Maybe what was legal under the program is the biggest crime.
*Only three legislators voted “no.”
Other coverage:
The gazette.com
Radio Iowa
Complete Tax Update film credit coverage
Tags: corporate welfare, economic development, film credits, Film criminal investigation, harold hill, Tom Wheeler
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What also is a crime is that now the State of Iowa has decided that the Mercedes was purchased legally under the existing statue but for two years (and a three week trial) they claimed Thomas Wheeler passing on this claim for approval was a felony crime.
Which is it Mr. Miller?
Such actions only show that, while the statue was poorly drafted and terribly implemented by the DED the State knew all along Wheeler did not do anything wrong in this case yet they charged him as part of their blanket accusations anyway hoping something would stick and they would have their scapegoat. Shame on the attorney general and shame on the State of Iowa for this kind of abuse.