The main entrance to the University of Phoenix Stadium awaits patrons prior to the start of the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football game between Oklahoma and Connecticut Saturday, Jan. 1, 2011, in Glendale, Ariz. Oklahoma defeated Connecticut 48-20. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

PHOENIX (AP) _ The Fiesta Bowl's former top executive pleaded
guilty Tuesday to a felony charge to settle allegations stemming
from a political donations scandal.
John Junker entered the plea in Phoenix for his role in
soliciting political contributions from Fiesta Bowl employees. The
bowl later reimbursed employees for about $48,000 over a nine-year
period.
The plea is part of an agreement with Arizona prosecutors in
connection with the scandal that led to the firing last year of
Junker, the bowl's longtime leader, and the resignation of chief
operating officer, Natalie Wisneski.
The Fiesta Bowl hosts college football's national championship
game every four years. The scandal nearly jeopardized the Fiesta
Bowl's role as one of the four top-tier national bowl groups. The
organization was spared the worst sanctions _ the loss of the
championship game and its NCAA license.
A 276-page bowl investigation report found the ``apparent
scheme'' to reimburse at least $46,539 for employees' political
contributions. It also reported lavish spending by Junker.
Junker pleaded guilty in Maricopa County Superior Court to a
state felony, which carries a presumptive 2 1/2-year sentence
that's also eligible for probation. A judge could reject the deal
and would have discretion at sentencing.
``Pursuant to plea agreements with the prosecuting agencies
involved, Mr. Junker will continue his ongoing cooperation with
them and their agents, as requested,'' Junker's lawyer, Stephen
Dichter, said in a statement. ``No additional charges arising out
of Mr. Junker's long tenure with the Fiesta Bowl will be brought
against him by either the State of Arizona or the United States
Attorney for the District of Arizona.''
The Arizona Republic first reported the deal in Sunday's
editions.
Wisneski was indicted in November on federal charges stemming
from allegations about her involvement in the scandal. She has
pleaded not guilty.
Bowl lobbyist Gary Husk has also been the focus of federal and
state criminal investigations. Husk's lawyer, Rick Romley, told the
newspaper that Junker is only looking out for himself.
``He is so self-serving and he financially benefited himself,''
Romley said. ``Now it looks like he will blame others to minimize
his role. He was the president and CEO of the Fiesta Bowl.''
The Republic began reporting in late 2009 that the bowl had been
involved in coordinating donations to politicians. An initial bowl
review found no evidence of that, but it later called for an
independent investigation released last March that led to the
ouster of Junker and Wisneski.
The investigation also said Husk participated in and coordinated
the political donations reimbursement scheme. Husk has not been
charged with any crimes and has denied any wrongdoing.
Three months after Junker was fired, the bowl hired University
of Arizona president Robert Shelton to lead the organization and
repair its reputation. An attorney for the bowl has said the
organization is cooperating with local, state and federal
investigations and made substantial changes to prevent a repeat.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)