SALT LAKE CITY — One of the defendants in the iWorks fraud case pleaded guilty Tuesday, less than a week before the trial is scheduled to begin.
Bryce Payne, 47, admitted in U.S. District Court to one count of conspiracy in connection with the fraud allegations against him and three others who worked for Jeremy Johnson's Internet marketing company. Federal prosecutors will drop the other 85 charges against him as part of a plea deal.
Payne, Johnson, Scott Leavitt and Ryan Riddle were charged with bank fraud, wire fraud and money laundering in an 86-count indictment.
Judge David Nuffer will sentence Payne in May. Conspiracy carries a five-year prison term and $250,000 fine. Prosecutors agreed to recommend a prison sentence from zero to 42 months and 36 months probation.
The trial for Johnson, Leavitt and Riddle is set to start next Monday. Johnson and Riddle are acting as their own attorneys.
— Dennis Romboy