4 Activists Plead Guilty in Senator's Phone Tampering Incident

by Susan Marie Kovalinsky | May 26, 2010 at 11:42 am

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Misdemeanor charges, probation, fines, and community service for 4 politically conservative activists : James O'Keefe, Stan Dai, Joseph Basel and Robert Flanagan

Four conservative political activists accused in the case of Senator Mary Landrieu's office break in plead guilty today on charges of entering federal property under false pretenses, the Associated Press reports.

James O'Keefe, 25, famous for wearing a pimp costume in a video that embarrassed the ACORN, was sentenced to three years probation, 100 hours of community service and a $1,500 fine.

According to FBI reports, O'Keefe used his cell phone to try to capture video of two others who posed as telephone repairmen and asked to see the phones at Landrieu's office. A fourth allegedly waited outside in a car with a listening device.

In an attempt to shift focus from his criminal activity, O'Keefe claimed the group was trying to investigate complaints that constituents calling the Democratic senator's office were unable to put calls through for the purpose of criticizing the health care reform bill.

The Judge, Daniel Knowles III , sentenced the three other suspects to two years probation, 75 hours of community service and $1,500 fines.