By: Associated Press//October 5, 2016//
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Green Bay’s mayor is pleading not guilty for now to charges that he violated state election laws.
Mayor Jim Schmitt was not in court Wednesday for his initial appearance, and he was not required to be there. Schmitt’s attorney entered a not guilty plea on the mayor’s behalf.
Last month special prosecutor Bruce Landgraf announced that Schmitt has agreed to plead guilty to three misdemeanor charges related to accepting illegal campaign donations and falsifying information on his campaign finance reports.
As part of the plea deal, Schmitt agreed to forfeit more than $26,000 in his campaign fund. In exchange, prosecutors say they will not recommend any jail or probation time.
WLUK-TV reports a plea and sentencing hearing is scheduled for Dec. 5.
Schmitt has said he will not resign.