PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - A former high-ranking Rhode Island lawmaker has pleaded guilty to mail fraud, wire fraud, aggravated identity theft and filing false tax returns.
Ray Gallison, a Democrat and former chairman of the powerful House finance committee, entered the pleas Thursday in U.S. District Court in Providence as part of a deal with prosecutors.
Gallison faces at least two years in prison and possibly several more, as well as hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines when he is sentenced June 16. His lawyer says he paid $162,000 in restitution Thursday.
Gallison admitted wrongdoing, including taking $678,000 from the estate of a dead client for whom he was executor and $8,900 from the trust of a person with special needs.
He resigned from the House in May.
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