Barlow to plead guilty to fraud, resigns from Las Vegas City Council

Las Vegas City Councilman Ricki Barlow will plead guilty to felony fraud charges for misusing campaign funds in 2015, and resigned his seat representing the city’s Ward 5 on Monday.

Barlow is “deeply ashamed” of his conduct, he said during a Monday afternoon news conference at City Hall.

“That shame is as dark and abiding for me as my gladness for my City Council service is bright and enduring,” Barlow said, reading somberly from a prepared statement. “I accept full personal responsibility for my conduct violating the federal criminal law. I am resolved to face the painful consequences of that conduct in a way and with a spirit that will best compensate for my wrongdoing and will best help me become a better man.”

Barlow, who was first elected to the council in 2007, said he will plead guilty to a federal felony charge for using campaign funds for personal use during his 2015 re-election campaign. The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported in September 2016 the FBI was investigating Barlow for accepting kickbacks for directing campaign funds to consultants.

Read more: https://www.reviewjournal.com/news/politics-and-government/las-vegas/barlow-to-plead-guilty-to-fraud-resigns-from-las-vegas-city-council/