Former Labor Dept. official (turned conservative commentator ) pleads guilty

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jUfMeqQhiz2yBsGtCjEd6DaXrWZgD9EUFLN81

(AP) – 4 days ago

WASHINGTON — A former official with the Labor Department turned conservative commentator pleaded guilty Wednesday in a corrupt lobbyist case, saying he wanted to put the whole thing behind him.

Horace Cooper, also a one-time aide to former Republican Rep. Dick Armey when he was majority leader of the House, pleaded guilty to falsifying a document when he did not report receiving gifts from lobbyists Jack Abramoff and Neil Volz in 2003.

When Cooper was chief of staff for the Employment Standards Administration, he was required by law to report any such gifts. An indictment alleges he took expensive meals, concert tickets and sports tickets.

The 44-year-old Cooper faces a maximum sentence of a year in prison, but could receive more time because authorities say he tried to stymie investigators by lying to FBI agents.

Cooper's lawyers noted he admitted to a misdemeanor, rather than the handful of felonies with which he was initially charged.

In a statement, Cooper said: "My family and I are so grateful that this ordeal is over. It will be so good to get this whole thing behind me."

FULL story at link.