Curt Weldon Pal Pleads Guilty

By Ken Silverstein

From the Philadelphia Inquirer:

A close friend of former U.S. Rep. Curt Weldon pleaded guilty today to destroying records soon after the FBI interviewed her about the congressman. Cecelia M. Grimes, 43, a real estate agent who became a highly paid defense lobbyist, is the second person to plead guilty.

At sentencing before U.S. District Judge Henry Kennedy, she likely faces 10 to 16 months in federal prison. The Weldon investigation is continuing and a prosecutor said today that Grimes is a cooperating witness in the case and suggested that she not be sentenced until “early winter.”

The judge set a date of Jan. 23. Grimes was released today from court without any bail conditions. Grimes had no Washington experience, and worked out of her home in Media. But she was hired as a lobbyist by giant defense contractors, some of whom won deals with Weldon’s help.