In a recent case, former assistant police chief William Vega has struck a plea deal that spares him jail time for charges related to "Operation Martingate." According to WPTV, Vega pleaded guilty to a first-degree misdemeanor for attempted perjury linked to a scheme that involved falsifying records for high school football players.

The case, investigated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, involved allowing student-athletes to compete for schools outside their residential areas. William Vega, along with his brother Robert Vega—a police sergeant on unpaid administrative leave—used the addresses of current and former Port St. Lucie police officers to misrepresent the students' actual residences.

William Vega admitted guilt for trying to hide the actual residency of students so they could play on the Martin County High School football team, as per the WPBF report. The plea deal was considered better than a trial that might have required children to testify against their parents, according to Assistant State Attorney David Lustgarten, who noted the need to avoid putting them in that position.

As part of the plea deal, William Vega has given up his law enforcement certificate and paid nearly $40,000 for the investigation by the FDLE. His defense attorney, Scott Richardson, stated that Vega is pleased with the resolution and can now move on, which was his goal. The former assistant police chief also plans to look for job opportunities overseas now that the case is closed.