Prosecution cross-examines former Norfolk sheriff accused of taking bribes

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — The trial continues for the former Norfolk sheriff, who is accused of taking bribes while in office.

On Thursday, prosecutors cross-examined former sheriff Bob McCabe. It came just one day after McCabe took the stand in his own defense.

“I’ve made some mistakes, but I’ve never taken any bribes,” McCabe said.

On Wednesday, McCabe told the jury that he never used his office his personal gain. By the close of court Thursday, cross-examination revealed that may not be true.

Prosecutors went step by step through his time in office. They asked him about using campaign donations for his personal expenses such as gambling trips.

“I have no defense for that,” McCabe said.

They asked him about using a deputy as a personal assistant, who drove McCabe in a limo to functions to gambling trips.

“I have no defense for that,” McCabe added. “I’m embarrassed.”

They asked him about taking money from vendors he considered loans from friends. McCabe said he was given nearly $10,000 in cash by Correct Care Solutions founder Jerry Boyle in 2011. The loans came just after CCS was awarded a six-year contract to continue as the jail’s medical provider. McCabe says the loans were never paid back.

“I know I met him and borrowed some money from him, which I’m embarrassed about,” McCabe said. “I borrowed money from him as a friend. My intent was to pay him back.”

Prosecutors asked him about a $12,500 check from Boyle in 2016 for McCabe’s mayoral campaign. McCabe admits he orchestrated the money to be laundered into other accounts only to be funneled back into his account for mayor. He realizes that is count 11 of the federal indictment.

“I said I would own up to this, because I caused this,” McCabe added.

Federal prosecutors asked him if now sees constant patterns during his 23 years as Norfolk sheriff. There was usually a campaign donation, followed by a contract extension to either ABL or CCS followed by some sort of gift for the McCabe.

Prosecutors say McCabe would tip CCS and ABL off on competing bids to make sure they would be awarded the contracts.

“If I was going to do something illegal like that, I would have done it myself,” McCabe said. “I wouldn’t get others involved.”

McCabe told the jury he never connected any gifts with any contracts and that those vendors won the multi-million-dollar contracts fair and square.

“I would have not sold my soul for any amount,” McCabe said. “I did not think, because I wasn’t part of the selection committee, but knowing what I know now, I wouldn’t have taken anything from a jail vendor period had I known what I know now.”

Prosecutors asked him about the rules of the request for proposals that didn’t allow him to receive any gifts from vendors.

“I’m not a lawyer,” he added. “I don’t know to what extent. There is a lot of grey area.”

McCabe once again told the jury he was terrible at listing his campaign contributions on forms turned into the city. He said if that was what he was charged with, he would have to plead guilty.

Closing arguments are scheduled to start Monday. If convicted on the 11 charges, McCabe could be sentenced to a maximum of 220 years in prison.