Posted on 03/29/2006 9:42:22 AM PST by NormsRevenge
A federal judge accepted former City Councilman Martin Ludlow's guilty plea for conspiracy to embezzle union funds but warned he is not bound by a bargain Ludlow made with prosecutors to avoid prison time.
"Do you understand that the plea agreement does not bind me whatsoever?" U.S. District Judge Manuel Real told Ludlow Tuesday as he set sentencing for June 5. Ludlow responded affirmatively.
Real required Ludlow to admit repeatedly that he knew he was breaking federal law when he conspired to get Service Employees International Union Local 99 to pay for workers in his 2003 council campaign and then tried to cover it up.
Ludlow also is awaiting sentencing in Superior Court after pleading guilty to state campaign-finance violation charges. He has agreed to a deal with prosecutors in which he would avoid jail time but pay $180,000 in fines, be banned for 13 years from holding a labor position and barred for four years from serving in elected office.
He left the council last year to become the county's top labor leader, but resigned that position last month because of his legal troubles.
Outside court Tuesday, Ludlow said he's continuing to cooperate with investigators in the case, which also involves several union leaders.
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