New York Comptroller Hevesi resigns, agrees to plead guilty to felony over driver scandal

(AP) The state's chief financial officer, Comptroller Alan Hevesi, resigned Friday and agreed to plead guilty to a felony for using state employees as his wife's chauffeurs.

The plea ends Hevesi's 35-year political career and wraps up an investigation by Albany County District Attorney David Soares, who had been presenting evidence about Hevesi to a grand jury.

Hevesi, a Democrat from New York City, will serve no jail time. He agreed to pay a $5,000 fine and to not file any appeals. He also agreed not to take office on Jan. 1. Hevesi was re-elected in November amid the scandal, and state lawmakers had considered removing him from office.

"I want to apologize to the people of New York state who have given me the opportunity to serve them," Hevesi said after a court appearance. "I want to apologize to the 2,400 professionals who work in the comptroller's office and I want to apologize to my family who have been so strong and loving during this process."

In court, Hevesi acknowledged that he used a state employee to provide services for his wife that "could not be properly characterized as security" during 2005 and 2006.

Hevesi admitted to defrauding the government, a felony that carries a maximum penalty of 1 1/3 to four years in prison. He must submit DNA for the state's databank and is scheduled to be sentenced Feb. 9.

Hevesi, 66, was elected state comptroller in 2002 and re-elected in November by a wide margin despite several investigations into his use of four employees to cater to his ailing wife from 2003 to mid-2006.

In October, with Hevesi coasting to a re-election win, the bipartisan state Ethics Commission said the driving arrangements violated state law. Most of the driving was done by Nicholas Acquafredda, who also helped Carol Hevesi with errands and even helped with physical therapy.

Acquafredda told investigators he provided a variety of personal services for Carol Hevesi, including trips to Bloomingdale's, picking up items at BJ's Wholesale Club and delivering laundry. Witnesses said Acquafredda took out her trash, moved her furniture and watered her plants.

Hevesi paid the state more than $82,000, but insisted he did not break the law. Attorney General Eliot Spitzer, a one-time Hevesi ally who was elected governor in November, ordered Hevesi to pay back even more, bringing his total payback to $206,293.79.

Hevesi said his wife has been ill for decades, undergoing numerous back surgeries, heart surgery and attempting suicide in the 1990s.