Former Ted Kennedy Aide Guilty of Stealing $75,000 From Senate Office Account

A former aide to the late Sen. Edward Kennedy was found guilty Tuesday by a federal jury of stealing more than $75,000 from the Senate by giving himself unauthorized salary and bonuses.

Ngozi Pole, Kennedy's former office manager, was convicted on all five counts of wire fraud and a single count of theft of government property.

Each wire fraud charge carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years and a $250,000 fine. The theft of government property charge has a maximum prison sentence of 10 years and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is set for July 14.

As office manager, Pole, of Waldorf, Md., was responsible for sending staff salary and bonus information to the Senate Disbursing Office. Prosecutors said during the trial that Pole submitted false paperwork for unauthorized pay and bonuses from 2003 to 2007. Only Kennedy or his chief of staff were authorized to approve salary and bonus payments.

Pole covered up the excess payments he made to himself by providing false documentation to Kennedy's chief of staff, prosecutors said during the trial. (Continues here)

RELATED, NYT