Washington, DC - Attorney General Robert J. Spagnoletti announced today Scott Bishop Jr, and his wife, Crystal Bishop, plead guilty to four counts each of making a false statement in connection with their role in collecting signatures for Mayor Anthony A. Williams' nominating petition in 2002.

According to the terms of the agreement, finalized on February, 22, 2006,  the Bishops agreed to testify against Scott Bishop, Sr. who is charged with 279 counts, including failure to witness signatures on petitions, making false statements and failure to be a registered qualified elector.  There remains an outstanding arrest warrant for Bishop, Sr. in connection with the election fraud charges.  If Bishop, Sr. is found guilty on all counts, he could face 139 years in jail and $1.8 million in fines.

“I am pleased with the terms of the plea agreement,” said General Spagnoletti.  “Although the matter is nearing conclusion for Scott Bishop, Jr. and Crystal Bishop, my office is pursuing to the fullest extent of the law the charges against Scott Bishop, Sr.”

Should the Bishops fulfill the terms of the deferred sentencing agreement entered into with the Office of the Attorney General, all charges against them will be dropped.  Should they fail to abide by the plea agreement, the Bishops could face a maximum of two years in jail and a $4,000 fine.