Board recommends parole for former mayor

Friday, March 3rd 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

McALESTER, Okla. (AP) -- The state Pardon and Parole Board has recommended parole for a former Eufaula mayor who was convicted in connection with the failed Mega Star amphitheater case.

Joe Johnson is serving a 10-year sentence at the Lexington Assessment and Reception Center. He was sentenced to 10 one-year sentences on 10 felony charges, including embezzlement, conspiracy and filing a false claim.

The parole recommendation made Feb. 23 is on Johnson's sentence for obtaining a thing of value through false pretenses. The board's recommendation is on its way to Gov. Frank Keating, but Keating spokesman Dan Mahoney said it may be a while before it actually reaches the governor.

A parole board spokesman said Johnson has used earned credits to lower two of his sentences and if he is paroled on the third, he would have seven sentences remaining.

Some of the felony counts filed against Johnson were in connection with a trailer park and water companies he owned. Some were in connection with the failed Mega Star amphitheater project near the shores of Lake Eufaula.