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Former Tribune credit manager plans guilty plea

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By ELAINE SILVESTRINI

esilvestrini@tampatrib.com

Published: November 5, 2009

TAMPA - A former Tampa Tribune credit manager accused of conspiring with his wife to steal more than $1 million from the newspaper and its parent company plans to plead guilty and expects to go to prison.
Charles Wilson "has advised both the court and the government that it is his intent to enter pleas of guilty pursuant to a written plea agreement," his lawyer, public defender Dionja Dyer, wrote in a court pleading filed Wednesday.

Wilson intends to plead guilty just before his wife's trial so the sentencing process can be coordinated in the event Lynda Wilson is convicted, Dyer wrote.

Lynda Wilson's trial is scheduled for January.

The court filing centers on Charles Wilson's request that he be allowed to visit family in Nashville. As a condition of his bail, Wilson needs court permission to travel outside the Middle District of Florida.

"It is anticipated that Mr. Wilson will ultimately be sentenced to a term of imprisonment," Dyer wrote. She said the Wilsons' daughter wants to buy them airline tickets "so they can visit with their grandchildren during the Thanksgiving holiday and prior to being incarcerated."

The filing does not give details about the terms of the plea agreement.

The Wilsons were arrested in February on federal charges of mail fraud, conspiracy to commit mail fraud and making a false statement to a financial institution. In addition, Lynda Wilson was charged with making a false statement to the Secret Service.

They are accused of using their home-based credit collection company to funnel money from the newspaper over 10 years. Charles Wilson was fired from the Tribune in May 2008.

The couple were placed on home detention and electronic monitoring.

Reporter Elaine Silvestrini can be reached at (813) 259-7837.

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