GULFPORT, Miss. (AP) - Another former employee of the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources wants to plead guilty.
Joseph Ziegler, the department’s former chief of staff, filed notice Wednesday in federal court that he wants to change his plea from not guilty.
Ziegler is charged with conspiracy and two counts of mail fraud.
His lawyer, Joe Sam Owen, declined comment, saying the plea agreement is still being worked out.
Ziegler is accused of scheming with former Marine Resources Executive Director Bill Walker and his son, Scott Walker, to funnel money intended for the state into a private foundation Bill Walker controlled.
Both Walkers have pleaded guilty. Bill Walker was sentenced earlier while Scott Walker was sentenced Wednesday. Scott Walker also pleaded guilty in a case of defrauding the city of D’Iberville.
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