Former California State Senator Leland Yee Pleads Guilty To Racketeering Charge

Former California State Senator Leland Yee Pleads Guilty To Racketeering
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - MARCH 31: California State Sen. Leland Yee (C) leaves the Phillip Burton Federal Building after a court appearance on March 31, 2014 in San Francisco, California. Yee appeared in federal court today for a second time after being arrested along with 25 others by F.B.I. agents last week on political corruption and firearms trafficking charges. Yee is free on a $500,000 unsecured bond. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - MARCH 31: California State Sen. Leland Yee (C) leaves the Phillip Burton Federal Building after a court appearance on March 31, 2014 in San Francisco, California. Yee appeared in federal court today for a second time after being arrested along with 25 others by F.B.I. agents last week on political corruption and firearms trafficking charges. Yee is free on a $500,000 unsecured bond. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

SAN FRANCISCO, July 1 (Reuters) - Former California state Senator Leland Yee of San Francisco pleaded guilty on Wednesday to one count of racketeering in a case that ended a storied political career and swept up Yee's political adviser as well as numerous others.

Yee, 66, was arrested by the FBI last year and charged in a dramatic indictment that included allegations of bribery and gun-running. In his guilty plea, he admitted to two acts of racketeering.

His arrest and Wednesday's guilty plea marked the end of a long and successful political career that included two terms on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, as well as election to the California Assembly and Senate.

At the time of his arrest, Yee was a senator but was running for the post of secretary of state. After his arrest, he was suspended by the Senate.

Political consultant Keith Jackson, a longtime adviser to Yee, also pleaded guilty to one count of racketeering in the case.

Yee and Jackson face up to 20 years in prison and up to $250,000 in fines.

(Reporting by Curtis Skinner; Writing by Sharon Bernstein; Editing by Cynthia Johnston and Eric Beech)

Before You Go

State Capitols

Popular in the Community

Close

What's Hot