Ex-School Official Pleads Guilty to Fraud Counts
Stephen A. Wagner pleaded guilty Monday to federal mail and wire fraud charges as part of a plea agreement in which the U.S. government recommended he be sentenced to no more than 10 years in federal prison.
Wagner, the former school finance officer of the Newport-Mesa Unified School District, entered the formal guilty plea before a U.S. District judge. Sentencing is set for March 7.
“We entered the plea of guilty pursuant to the plea agreement,” said Paul S. Meyer, Wagner’s attorney. “We think that after all the factors in this case are evaluated, it will result in a further (reduced sentence).”
Whatever sentence Wagner receives is expected to be served concurrently with the six-year state prison term he is already serving for his conviction on state embezzlement charges.
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