Accused commissioner pleads guilty to falsifying records

Diana Wasserman-Rubin sentenced to probation, $3K fine

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – A former Broward County commissioner accused of voting to fund grants written by her husband pleaded guilty to falsifying records Monday.

Diana Wasserman-Rubin, 66, fiddled with her hands and shook as she made her plea. She suffers from Parkinson's disease.

"Mrs. Wasserman-Rubin provided false information to the Broward County Attorney's Office concerning whether her husband received a bonus as a result of her votes," said Assistant State Attorney Catherine Maus.

The lifelong politician planned to fight the charges in court, but her rapidly declining health prevented that.

"She pleaded guilty in her best interest today because of her physical condition, mainly," said defense attorney Fred Haddad.

Wasserman-Rubin was charged with five felony counts, and faced up to 30 years in prison if she was convicted.

"I adjudicate the defendant guilty as charged, and as to each count, I sentence the defendant to one years probation," said Broward County Court Circuit Judge Spencer Eig.

Wasserman-Rubin must also pay $3,000 in fines.

"It's been very difficult for me physically," she said outside the courtroom. "I'm very uncomfortable. I'm stressed out and Parkinson's is one of those diseases that really reacts very poorly to the stress, and this is all stress."

Wasserman-Rubin's probation begins Tuesday. It's unclear whether she will receive her county pension of nearly $5,000 per month.


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