UPDATE: Lasseter Pleads Guilty to Bribery Charge

Updated 5:30 p.m., May 31: Shirley Lasseter pleaded guilty to federal bribery charges, authorities confirmed Thursday. Lasseter's sentencing is set for August 6, and she faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office in Atlanta. Her son, John Fanning and businessman Carl Cain also face 10 years each in prison after pleading guilty to bribery and drug trafficking charges.

----------------

Gwinnett County District 1 Commissioner Shirley Lasseter, whose district includes Suwanee and Duluth, reportedly has been charged by federal authorities with bribery, according to published reports.

Lasseter, a former mayor of Duluth, resigned her Gwinnett position Thursday, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

According to a federal complaint unsealed Thursday, Lasseter accepted $35,000 in bribes last year for her vote and influence involving a development on Boggs Road, the AJC reported.

A court hearing for the three defendants is scheduled for Thursday, an indication that some or all of the defendants could be entering guilty pleas. Lasseter resigned her office today, her attorney said.

Also charged are Lasseter's son, John Fanning, and businessman Carl Cain. Fanning and Cain are also charged with possession with the intent to distribute cocaine, the AJC reported.

In September, the federal complaint reportedly said, Fanning and Cain flew to the New York area to assist in collecting what they thought would be a multiple-kilogram shipment of cocaine.

They spent the night in New York and flew back with "four kilograms of purported cocaine," and Fanning and Cain each took possession of two kilograms of the substance so they could deliver it to a prospective buyer, the complaint said.

Patch will have more details as they are available.