United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana, announced today that David Duke, age 52, entered a plea of guilty to a two-count Bill of Information charging Duke with mail fraud and making a false statement on a federal income tax return. As part of the plea agreement with the Government, Duke returned to the United States and has agreed he will serve a fifteen month sentence, which is within the guideline range provided for by the United States Sentencing Guidelines for these federal crimes.
Letten stated that United States District Judge Eldon E. Fallon accepted the plea this morning in United States District Court in New Orleans. Sentencing is set for March 19, 2003 before Judge Fallon.
The investigation was conducted by Special Agents of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division, United States Postal Inspection Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Letten said the Bill of Information alleged that Duke made a false statement on his 1998 federal income tax return when he understated his gross income for that year. The Bill of Information further alleged that Duke, beginning in 1993 and continuing through 1999, devised a scheme to bilk his supporters of money by issuing a series of solicitations through the United States mail. These mailings were based in part on misleading information concerning his financial status and his intended use of the money he sought. Duke admitted in United States District Court in New Orleans this morning that he actually used large portions of the money he solicited for casino gaming.
This matter is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Carter K.D. Guice, Jr. of the Financial Crimes Unit and First Assistant United States Attorney Jan Maselli Mann.