A fifth congressional employee has admitted criminal wrongdoing in the House Post Office scandal.
Wendell Magruder, 33, who worked as a stamp clerk, pleaded guilty Tuesday to embezzling $13,997 from his stamp drawer, conspiracy to possess illegal drugs, and conspiracy to cover up a drugs-for-stamps scheme with a supervisor who is the daughter of a former House member.The maximum sentence for the three counts would be 16 years in prison and fines totaling $600,000.
In exchange for Magruder's promise to cooperate, federal prosecutors dropped a fourth count, which alleged that Magruder distributed cocaine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Motley and Magruder's attorney, Shawn Moore, told U.S. District Judge Norma H. Johnson of Magruder's willingness to cooperate before she accepted the plea.
No other current or former House Post Office employees are under indictment. However, prosecutors have subpoenaed office expense records from three House members - including Ways and Means Chairman Dan Rostenkowski, D-Ill. He has denied any wrongdoing.
Motley said the charges against Magruder centered on a deal between him and his supervisor, Dorothea "Niki" Risenhoover, that lasted from December 1988 through July, 1991.
Magruder agreed to conceal Risenhoover's purchase of drugs from him, while she provided him with stamps to cover up his shortages during postal audits, the government said.
Risenhoover, 33, of Alexandria, Va., entered a bargained plea of guilty last month before the same judge to one count of conspiracy and one count of cocaine possession.