Hear Palermo in his own words explain what went wrong.

Former Omaha City Councilman Vinny Palermo, having plead guilty to federal fraud charges, is due back in court Wednesday.

His plea deal with federal prosecutors finds him facing up to 21 months behind bars.

In jail since April, Palermo is asking the court to let him out until his final hearing in November, when the deal is either approved or denied by the sentencing judge.

Now though a chance to hear Palermo in his own words, just before admitting his guilt.

[Take a look and listen to our video report above] 

Just days after Democrat Vinny Palermo was voted out of the city council seat he’d held for six years, he was in Federal Court, pleading guilty and for the first time explaining in his own words [audio available from US District Court in Lincoln] just what went wrong.  

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 turnback tax money and fireworks permits for the Latino Peace Officers Association and PACE, which works to keep inner city kids in sports and out of trouble.

In return Palermo, according to the plea deal, received “personal and financial benefits, to include airfare, luxury hotel accommodations, travel arrangements, and other items of value.”

Vinny Palermo: "Your honor just to clarify. There’s a long list with the process of how money is awarded. I was part of that process whether I was part of the Turn Back Tax Committee which would consist of two others, which would then get forwarded to the City Council which I sat on with six others. The steps to awarding this money would have to go through both of those committees with a majority deciding if the funds would go through or not. And then also after it was approved by the City Council it also goes to the mayor's grant team and then through the grant team with the final approval from the mayor to go to these entities. So, in short, I would say yes, your honor."

US Magistrate Judge Cheryl Zwart: “You were a member of a committee that awarded funds to nonprofits, correct?”

Palermo: “Yes, your honor."

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

Palermo: “Not that entire time."

Judge Zwart: “OK, but during part of it?”

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 Turn Back Tax Committee awards provided to the Latino Peace Officers Association and fireworks permits provided to PACE?”

Palermo: “I would say yes and also explain it your honor as to.”

Judge Zwart: “I am reading directly from the document sir.”

Palermo: “So, OK yes.”

Joe Jordan, NCN: “Do you see him flipping in this case?

Paragas: “Flipping?”

Joe Jordan: “Testifying against the others?”

Paragas: “Do I see that, I don't know, I don't know.