VanMeter sentenced to three years in prison

Tuesday, December 19th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

A federal judge sentenced former Oklahoma deputy health commissioner Brent VanMeter Monday to three years in prison, and three years probation on a federal bribery conviction. He must also pay a $50,000 fine.
His sentence begins in about 30 days. "I didn't take a bribe,â€ Van Meter said. â€œI didn't alter any documents. I didn't assault anybody or steal anything or touch anyones little kids, and I am going to prison for three years."

In October, a jury convicted VanMeter of soliciting a bribe from nursing home owner Jim Smart. Smart was also convicted of offering to pay the bribe. SMART was also sentenced Monday to three years in prison, three years probation and a $50,000 fine.