Former State Legislator Sentenced for Bank Fraud

TOPEKA, KAN. - A former Kansas state legislator was sentenced Monday to 18 months in federal prison for defrauding Farmers and Merchants Bank of Colby, Kan., of more than $460,000, some of which he deposited in his campaign account, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said. He also was ordered to pay $461,000 in restitution.

 Trent K. LeDoux, 40, Holton, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud. In his plea, he admitted he applied for three loans from the bank, falsely representing that he was going to use all the funds to buy cattle that would serve as the collateral for the loans. In fact, he used some of the money to pay off existing debts and to make contributions to his political campaign account.

Grissom commended the FBI and Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Hathaway for their work on the case.