An insurance agent and the former mayor of a city in southern Illinois pleaded guilty to lying to federal investigators about sharing a commission his agency earned on a work comp policy with the mayor of the city that purchased the coverage.

Tim Lowry

Former Red Bud Mayor Tim Lowry pleaded guilty Friday, according to a report by the Belleville News-Democrat. He will be sentenced Nov. 22 and faces up to five years in federal prison.

Former Columbia Mayor Kevin Hutchinson recommended the city obtain a casualty-loss and workers’ compensation policy through Ackermann Agency, where Lawry worked as an agent.

Between 2016 and 2018, Lowry paid Hutchinson about $16,000 in commissions for the referral.

Both Lowry and Hutchinson were charged with lying to federal investigators from the Southern Illinois Public Corruption Task Force and denying the payments.

Hutchinson, who resigned as mayor of Columbia in March, pleaded guilty to lying to federal agents and in June was sentenced to two years of probation, a $500 fine and 40 hours of community service.