FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — A former federal judge in West Virginia has pleaded guilty in Kentucky to a charge of attempting to have a social security administration employee fired.
Charlie Paul Andrus pleaded guilty on Monday to one count of conspiracy to retaliate against a witness. He is scheduled to be sentenced this fall, where he could face up to 10 years in prison, a fine or both.
Prosecutors say Andrus was embarrassed after a criminal investigation into his office led to him being demoted in 2011. They say Andrus colluded with high-profile Kentucky disability attorney Eric Conn to spy on a federal employee they knew was providing the incriminating evidence to investigators. Prosecutors say Andrus and Conn hoped to gather evidence that would cause the employee to be fired.
Attorneys for Andrus and Conn did not respond to a request for comment.