Ex-Glendale councilman released from jail early for home confinement

A former Glendale councilman who was sentenced last week to one year in jail after pleading guilty to embezzlement, perjury and filing false tax returns will instead serve the remainder of this time under home confinement.

After being sentenced, John Drayman was assigned to the Twin Towers jail facility in downtown Los Angeles. But L.A. County Sheriff’s officials almost immediately cut his term by more than half, noting nonviolent and nonsexual criminals are eligible for the reduction under state prison realignment guidelines meant to reduce inmate overcrowding.

Department documents indicate Drayman will spend the remainder of his sentence -- currently scheduled to be completed Sept. 28 -- under home confinement, monitored via electronic bracelet, the Glendale News-Press reported. He was released Tuesday.

Drayman pleaded guilty to the felony charges last month, and was ordered to pay about $305,000 in restitution for losses tied to the Montrose farmers market. He must also pay about $14,000 in restitution to the California Franchise Tax Board, and will serve five years’ probation.

The sentencing capped more than two years of legal proceedings since Drayman was indicted in May 2012 on charges of embezzling at least $304,000 from 2004 to 2011 from the farmers market, which he helped run before and during his time in office.

During his sentencing, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Stephen Marcus called Drayman’s conduct “appalling.”

“In common parlance, you’re a crook,” Marcus said.

The judge had previously rejected Drayman’s plea deal proposition that included 300 hours of community service and restitution, but no time behind bars.

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