Former Senator to Plead Guilty to Fraud Charges
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WASHINGTON — Former Sen. Dave Durenberger said Monday that he will plead guilty in a deal with federal prosecutors to settle a criminal case that crippled his political career.
The Minnesota Republican has agreed to plead guilty to five misdemeanor fraud counts, said Justice Department spokesman John Russell. He had been facing trial in October on felony charges.
He is scheduled to enter the plea this morning before U.S. District Judge Stanley Harris.
The Justice Department on Monday filed a five-count criminal information in U.S. District Court, which signals that a defendant has reached a plea bargain.
Durenberger, now a consultant in Washington, confirmed that he had reached a plea agreement but declined to give details. He said he wanted to settle the case before his wedding Friday in Minnesota to a former staff member.
In 1993, he was indicted on felony fraud charges for allegedly hiding his ownership of a Minneapolis condominium to collect $3,825 in reimbursement from the Senate in 1987 for lodging when he traveled to his home state.
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