KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV) -
The former mayor of Grandview plead guilty in
court Tuesday to taking $35,000 intended for a charity and used it for
personal expenses.
Steve Dennis pleaded guilty to a federal wiretapping charge, which is
a felony. He stole money from the International House of Prayer, a
Grandview nonprofit.
Outside the courtroom, though, he said he "unequivocally" did not use any tax dollars for his own use.
"This was all about the donations to the non-profit. That was it," he
said. "We really need the ability for me and my family to be able to
handle this and the pain that it's caused by ourselves, we'd really
appreciate that."
Prosecutors and defense attorneys have worked out a deal where Steve
Dennis will face one year and one day in prison in exchange for him
giving up his right to appear before a grand jury. He could have faced
up to 20 years in prison.
U.S. District Judge Howard Sachs will sentence him in the coming
months, but judges generally accept plea deals worked out by defense
attorneys and prosecutors.
Dennis admitted he set up fake charities and took $35,000 from
International House of Prayer that he then used for his personal
benefit, including paying for his family's living expenses.