SAN PEDRO : Congressman’s Widow Admits Misuse of Funds

Lee M. Anderson, wife of the late Glenn M. Anderson, who was a Democratic congressman from San Pedro, has pleaded guilty to a federal charge involving improper use of government travel funds, the Justice Department announced Friday.

The guilty plea in Washington on Thursday is the result of a two-year investigation into the diversion of U.S. House administrative funds to the 1992 congressional campaign of Anderson’s stepson, former Long Beach Councilman Evan Anderson Braude.

During June and November, 1992, the Justice Department said, Lee Anderson directed staff from the congressman’s Washington office to travel to California to assist in Braude’s campaign to win Glenn Anderson’s congressional seat. Anderson, who died in December, had announced his retirement.

Lee Anderson was identified as the target of a federal grand jury investigation during a sentencing hearing in November, 1993, for the congressman’s former Washington administrative assistant, Jeremiah Bresnahan. He had pleaded guilty to one felony count of misusing government services and agreed to cooperate with federal officials.

Lee Anderson and Braude had previously stated that any staff members working on his campaign did nothing illegal. House staffers are prohibited from performing campaign-related activities on government time.

Lee Anderson’s case was continued until June 12. Bresnahan’s sentencing is scheduled April 5.