Former State Rep. Steve Foti, R-Oconomowoc, struck a plea deal Friday admitting guilt to one count of misconduct in public office, stemming from allegations he illegally used his position to raise campaign funds.

"Today is a very sad day in my life and in the lives of my family and friends," Foti said in written public statement. "I regret that decisions that I made during my service as a state legislator have been determined to have resulted in my inappropriately mixing my legislative obligations with my political commitments."

According to the charge, Foti, a former Assembly majority leader, illegally used his public office from January 1998 to October 2001 to employ fulltime campaign fundraiser Sherry Schultz, whose yearly salary was funded by Wisconsin taxpayers.

Foti had previously pled not guilty to the felony charge but last week entered into a plea agreement, admitting to a reduced charge of a misdemeanor.

"The misdemeanor charge is a very significant concession because it does not disqualify him from a number of potential occupational activities," Foti's attorney Franklyn Gimbel said of his client, who is currently working as a lobbyist.

The misdemeanor plea agreement requires Foti's full cooperation in the prosecutions of legislative aide Schultz and current Rep. Scott Jensen, R-Waukesha, who is also facing charges of fraudulent campaign finance behavior. Both are scheduled to go to trial Feb. 20.

"In the perfect world, anybody who is put in the position where they have to testify against somebody with whom they've had a personal relationship has great reluctance to do that," Gimbel said. "But in the real world, I think it's fair to say that the resolution of this case was made available to us as a package deal."

Other conditions of the plea agreement include restitution to be ordered by the court in the future, requiring Foti to reimburse the state an estimated $300,000 related to Schultz's salary and compensation benefits.

Dane County Circuit Court Judge Steven Ebert ordered Foti's sentence be determined at a later date, with imprisonment and fines not to exceed 12 months and $5,000 respectively. Dane County District Attorney Brian Blanchard recommended 30 days in jail, two years probation and $1,000 in fines.

"I accept full and personal responsibility for the acts that led me to plea in this case," Foti said in the statement. "I am ready to accept the consequences that may be imposed upon me in the sentencing phase of this case."

Foti is the fourth of five Wisconsin legislators connected with the Legislative Caucus Scandal to be found guilty. Former Sen. Brian Burke, D-Milwaukee; former Senate Majority Leader Chuck Chvala, D-Madison; and former Rep. Bonnie Ladwig, R-Racine, all pled guilty to reduced charges in court after striking plea deals with prosecutors.

"This particular phase of the caucus scandal is just about over, but what has not changed yet since the time they were criminally charged over three years ago are the rules that govern campaign fundraising," Common Cause in Wisconsin Executive Director Jay Heck said. "Until we have significant campaign finance reform, it's just a matter of time before more legislators or more statewide officials will be facing trials."