PRESS RELEASE

Donald C. Smaltz, Independent Counsel In Re Espy, today made the following statement:

   A three count criminal information has been filed against James H. Lake alleging one felony charge of wire fraud in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1343, 1346, and 2; one misdemeanor charge for an illegal corporate campaign contribution in violation of Title 2, United States Code, Sections 441b(a) and 437g(d)(1)(A) (Federal Election Campaign Act "FECA") and Title 18, United States Code, Section 2; and another misdemeanor charge for a campaign contribution in violation of Title 2, United States Code, Sections 441f and 437g(d)(1)(A) and Title 18, United States Code, Section 2. At the time material to the charges in the information, Mr. Lake was a lobbyist representing organizations with business pending before the Department of Agriculture.

   A conviction on the wire fraud count charged in the information is punishable by a maximum term of imprisonment of up to 5 years, a fine of up to $250,000.00, and a special assessment of $50.00. A conviction on each of the FECA counts is punishable by imprisonment of up to one year, a fine of up to $100,000.00, and a special assessment of $25.00.