Senator in fraud case tells AP he’s quitting

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LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP)   An Arkansas state senator who admitted pocketing thousands of dollars in state money that had been set aside for a sports complex is telling The Associated Press that he will resign his seat on Tuesday.

Sen. Jake Files was in federal court in Fort Smith on Monday to plead guilty to fraud charges. Gov. Asa Hutchinson had called on Files to quit, saying the Republican could no longer serve constituents effectively. The state Democratic Party also called on Files to step aside.

In a text message to an Associated Press reporter Monday, Files wrote, “I will be submitting a letter of resignation tomorrow.”

According to federal prosecutors, Files falsified bids to ensure he would receive more than $27,000 in state money and also lied about collateral he wanted to use for a bank loan.

Files is the chairman of the Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee. The Fort Smith lawmaker announced last year that he would not seek re-election this year.

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