Hurricanes delay Aaron Zahn’s prison term

Former JEA CEO Aaron Zahn, who was convicted on federal charges of conspiracy and wire fraud, won’t have to report to prison until early next year.

Zahn had been scheduled to begin his 48-month sentence Oct. 28, but he requested and was granted a delay by a federal judge.

Zahn and his family now live in the Tampa area, and their home was flooded by Hurricane Helene and then a tree came through it during Hurricane Milton, smashing a corner of the home.

In the motion requesting the delay, Zahn’s attorneys outlined the process ahead for Zahn to start his insurance claim and get the work started on his home. They also submitted photos of the damage.

Prosecutors did not oppose the delay, and the judge granted it, giving Zahn until Jan. 27 to report for his sentence.

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A judge has not yet ruled on a separate, previously filed motion in which Zahn asked to remain on release while his appeals process continues. Prosecutors opposed that request, saying the basis of his appeal doesn’t meet the standards for remaining on release pending appeal.

That appeal is to the 11th Circuit based in Atlanta, but the motion to remain on release will be decided by a Jacksonville federal judge.

Zahn was convicted in March after a trial that lasted roughly three weeks. He had been accused of trying to take millions in personal profits from a proposed sale of the city-owned utility through a controversial bonus plan that had been proposed.

The sale was being explored in 2019, but the process was ended at the end of the year, after additional details about the proposed bonus plan came to light.

In July, a federal judge sentenced Zahn to four years in prison.

This story was produced by News4Jax, a Jacksonville Today news partner.