According to the Associated Press, federal bribery charges against former Spokane Raceway Park operator Orville Moe have been dismissed by Judge Edward F. Shea. The former mayor that was accused of bribing pleaded guilty to taking a bribe.

Moe’s government case was dismantled in two steps before reaching a U.S. District Court jury could hear the closing arguments regarding a $109,000 loan to former mayor of Airway Heights, WA. Dale Perry.

According to the Associated Press, federal bribery charges against former Spokane Raceway Park operator Orville Moe have been dismissed by Judge Edward F. Shea. The former mayor that was accused of bribing pleaded guilty to taking a bribe.

Moe’s government case was dismantled in two steps before reaching a U.S. District Court jury could hear the closing arguments regarding a $109,000 loan to former mayor of Airway Heights, WA. Dale Perry.

The judge threw out the second charge after hearing from five defense witnesses, which involved an $18,000 loan to Perry in 2002.

Moe and Perry were jointly indicted in October 2004. Last month, Perry pleaded guilty to accepting a bribe. Prosecutors agreed in exchange to drop three other charges and to recommend a light sentence if he turned witness against Moe.

Perry testified Moe never ever asked for anything in return for the two loans but admitted that in his plea agreement he admitted being "corruptly influenced" as a public official.

The government argued that the loans were made to induce Perry to lead a campaign against an admission tax.

The Airway Heights City Council announced an admission tax beginning in November 2003 and then removed it the next March. The $109,000 loan was made the following October.