Lee commissioner faces prison time

FORT MYERS — Lee County Commissioner Tammy Hall agreed with federal prosecutors to plead guilty to one count of wire fraud and resigned from the county's board of county commissioners.

According to a plea agreement with the U.S. Attorney, Hall diverted and embezzled $33,756 from her election-campaign fund. She spent the money on undisclosed personal items from Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom, Club Monaco and jewelry store Mark Loren Designs as well as on her mortgage.

Hall, 53, of Cape Coral, is scheduled to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Douglas Frazier Oct. 3. She faces as long as 20 years in prison, though her cooperation likely means she'll face less time than the maximum.