Ex-Logan delegate enters guilty plea

A federal prosecutor says a former state lawmaker has agreed toplead guilty to two charges in a gambling and racketeering case.

U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin said Thursday that ex-Logan CountyDelegate Joe C. Ferrell has tentatively agreed to plead guilty toone count each of racketeering and failing to pay employee payrolltaxes.

Goodwin says 38 other counts will be dismissed as part of a pleaagreement.

An indictment accused Ferrell of running an illegal gamblingracket in West Virginia and Kentucky and bribing a West VirginiaLottery investigator.

Goodwin said Ferrell has agreed to forfeit more than $500,000,while charges against Ferrell's company will be dismissed. Thecompany, Southern Amusement, leases video lottery machines.