Rostenkowski to Reject Deal, Report Says

Rep. Dan Rostenkowski has decided to reject the offer of a plea bargain by prosecutors and fight allegations of misusing government funds, the Chicago Sun-Times is reporting today.

Rostenkowski informed prosecutors Thursday of his decision and, barring any last-minute changes will be charged Tuesday, the newspaper said, citing unnamed sources.

Rostenkowski, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, is under investigation by the U.S. attorney’s office over his use of office and campaign accounts. He could face indictment, raising speculation he might resign from Congress.

Prosecutors plan to ask a federal grand jury in Washington to return an indictment accusing Rostenkowski of defrauding the government of hundreds of thousands of dollars over a period of two decades, the paper said.

No negotiations are scheduled over the Memorial Day weekend, but Rostenkowski could still change his mind and accept the plea bargain by the Tuesday deadline, the Sun-Times said.

In their final plea bargain offer, prosecutors demanded that Rostenkowski plead guilty to a felony, serve a short prison sentence, resign from Congress immediately and make restitution.

U.S. Atty. Eric H. Holderman Jr. and a spokesman for Rostenkowski declined Friday to comment on the status of the plea bargain offer.

Meanwhile, in Kenosha, Wis., Rostenkowski came under scrutiny because records show he owes $3,300 in property taxes on a lakeshore home. Officials say they are convinced the tax delinquency is a simple, unintentional mistake.

Kenosha County Treasurer Frieda Jacobson said Friday that no drastic action was planned to collect the money and that Rostenkowski usually pays his taxes “accurately and on time.”