Steve Sugerman, the first former Fleishman-Hillard executive to be sentenced for overbilling the city and other PR clients, today received three years probation and 250 hours of community service. Before sentencing, Sugerman told the federal court that "I profoundly regret my actions ... they were not defensible in any way." Judge Gary Feess perhaps sent a message to the next two in line — former Fleishman execs Doug Dowie and John Stodder — when he cited Sugerman's mea culpa. "I thought Mr. Sugerman articulated in a very detailed way, what he had done, and why he knew it was wrong,'' Feess said according to City News Service. "He didn't minimize his conduct, he didn't exaggerate the conduct of others.'' Sugerman's attorney also said that Sugerman's "extraordinary" cooperation with prosecutors, who recommended probation, played a role in the sentence. Sugerman pleaded guilty last year to three wire fraud counts. Dowie and Stodder, however, went to trial after denying the charges and were convicted of multiple counts of wire fraud. Judge Feess indicated today he will likely rule against their request for a new trial. He delayed their sentencing and will set a date Oct. 2, CNS reports.

Previously on LA Observed:
Dowie seeks new trial
Stodder seeks new trial
Dowie defiant