Former lawmaker Atkinson pleads guilty to misusing $250K

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Former Senate Majority Leader Kelvin Atkinson pleaded guilty Monday to wire fraud after admitting to taking about $250,000 in campaign funds for personal expenses, including leasing a luxury SUV and opening a Las Vegas nightclub.

Atkinson pleaded guilty in U.S. federal court in Las Vegas, shortly after the case against him was unsealed.

The Democrat's plea was part of a deal with prosecutors, who say Atkinson filed false campaign reports, co-mingled his personal money and campaign donations in his campaign fundraising account over eight years and made about $450,000 in expenses that weren't disclosed on his campaign finance reports. .

U.S.