Klaudt Pleads Guilty To Witness Tampering

Former state lawmaker Ted Klaudt of Walker pleaded guilty to two charges of tampering with a witness today in exchange for having the state drop four rape charges in that case.

With Klaudt's other conviction in Hughes County Tuesday on four counts of second degree rape, the former lawmaker faces up to 120 years in prison.

During today's hearing, Klaudt admitted that when one victim's mother planned to report him, he offered to forget about some money the young woman owed him if the mother would call off the investigation.

On the second count, he acknowledged urging a young woman to say she lied. Klaudt told her the allegations would get her removed from the foster home, hurt his political career and hurt his wife.

Klaudt after the brief hearing told reporters he had no comments.