After sitting in jail, the last nine months, accused of federal fraud and kickback charges, ousted Omaha City Councilman Vinny Palermo, now knows his sentence.

18 months for fraud and another nine for breaking the law while on federal probation for tax fraud.

Joe Jordan, NCN: “The government wanted 33 months you wanted 21 months the judge decided 27 months. Any chance you'll appeal that decision?”

Randy Paragas, Palermo’s lawyer: “No, absolutely no chance we’ll appeal."

Jordan: “Is he getting off easy?”

Paragas: “I don't know how you could say losing your family, your house, your life, your public position, your public trust, losing all of that in one fell swoop is getting off easy.”

January, 2023

Joe Jordan, NCN: “Mr. Palermo, can I ask you a few questions?”

Palermo refusing to talk publicly about all this until today, moments before his sentencing telling the judge he “thought he was untouchable” but now apologizes to his family and the citizens of Omaha, adding he “hopes my story isn’t over.” At times he cried.

Jordan: “Mr. Paragas, a couple of times that Mr. Palermo kind of choked back some tears when he was telling the judge his story. Do you have any feeling any of that was orchestrated, that he was faking 

Paragas: “No and here’s why I don’t I had trouble, I got a little choked up.”

Palermo the first of four defendants in the case to admit to what the judge called a scheme, helping two of the three others, former Omaha police officers Rich Gonzalez and Johnny Palermo get their hands on fireworks permits for PACE a non-profit aimed at keeping inner city kids in sports and out of trouble.

August, 2023

Federal Judge Cheryl Zwart: “You were also a member of a committee that awarded fireworks permits to nonprofits in the city of Omaha, correct?”

Vinny Palermo: “Yes, your honor.”

Judge Zwart: “Did you also work along with or know Johnny Palermo and Richard Gonzalez?”

Palermo: “Yes, your honor.”

Judge Zwart: “Did you along with those two defendants come up with a plan where you would assist in having fireworks permits provided to PACE?”

Palermo: “I would say, yes.”

Randy Paragas, Palermo’s Attorney: “The government was alleging, and Mr. Palermo has pleaded to, that there was some type of agreement that he would vote in favor of the benefits to those organizations in exchange for trips and that sort of thing.”

Palermo is also ordered to pay restitution, $10,292.

And that comes as his divorce case finds Mrs. Palermo recently telling the court she’s “in need of child support.” She also asked the court for a “distribution from the house sale.”

As NCN first reported the house was listed at $650,000, sold for $550,000 even with a “brand new pool.”

That pool, one of Palermo’s kickbacks.

According to prosecutors, a contractor who does work for the city, poured concrete for Palermo’s “pool deck” with Palermo receiving a “substantial discount” and paying the contractor “in cash to conceal” the deal.

Palermo’s 27 months in federal prison, finds him with nine months under his belt and some good time coming his way, looking to get out of prison in the spring of 2025.