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Steve Bateman, Ex-Homestead Mayor, Reaches Plea Deal for Illegal Campaign Expenditures

Embattled former Homestead Mayor Steve Bateman was back in front of a judge Friday to accept a plea deal.

Bateman pleaded guilty two misdemeanor charges out of seven for illegal campaign expenditures.

"Both allege campaign violations for a post election thank you party that he had with campaign supporters," attorney Michael Davis said.

Bateman said he took the plea deal in part because of how much money he's already spent on a legal defense which began last year.

Bateman is a convicted felon who was found guilty back in September of other criminal charges. Those charges related to him doing business as a consultant with a private company and getting paid while at the same time getting paid to serve as the Mayor of Homestead.

"Lessens the impact on my family, lessens the impact on me, allows me to get back into society and do what I need to do to make a living to support my family and enjoy my life," Bateman said of the deal.

A judge had sentenced Bateman in December to 22 months in jail following his conviction of criminal charges. He has since been out of jail on a $40,000 bond.

Bateman's sentence, on the misdemeanor charges he pled guilty to Friday, are 18 months of probation. Meanwhile, he says he's working on appealing his prior felony conviction.

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