Ex-deputy attorney general pleads guilty

A lawyer accused of working for both the state and the feds and lying about it has struck a plea deal with federal prosecutors.

"How do you plead to the charge? Guilty or not guilty?" U.S. District Judge Clark Waddoups asked Richard Wyss during an appearance in federal court on Monday.

"Guilty," Wyss replied.

Wyss, 53, pleaded guilty to a single charge of making a false statement. Federal prosecutors said Wyss was an assistant Utah attorney general who went to work for the Utah Department of Public Safety as its legal counsel and budget director. From September 2002 until October 2007, Wyss also worked as legal counsel to the Transportation Security Administration.

In a statement prepared in advance of his guilty plea, Wyss acknowledged misrepresenting to a TSA ethics attorney that he was only working 18 to 22 hours a week and submitting DPS time sheets that falsely claimed he worked part time. He also claimed to have quit his state job but continued to work another 2 1/2 years for DPS while working for the TSA.

Wyss left the TSA in October 2007. DPS said Wyss worked for the department from September 2003 until March 2008, when he was terminated.

As part of his plea deal, Wyss is expected to be ordered to pay more than $188,542 restitution to DPS. He faces up to five years in prison, but federal prosecutors agreed to recommend a low-level sentence and no fines when he is sentenced March 3.

"The state of Utah also declined prosecution," Wyss' attorney, Rod Snow, told the judge on Monday. "We have that letter."

The U.S. Attorney's Office for Utah declined to comment on whether any investigations were ongoing into the case or if anyone else would likely be charged. The Utah Department of Public Safety has said its internal investigation is ongoing.

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