Currin pleads guilty to federal charges

Former U.S. Attorney Sam Currin pleaded guilty today to three federal charges ranging from conspiracy to commit money laundering to obstruction of justice.

During the 40-minute hearing at Raleigh's federal courthouse, prosecutors did not reveal any new details about the case against Currin.

But in an unusual move last month, Currin filed a 16-page affidavit detailing his role in the crimes -- a filing which U.S. District Judge Earl Britt noted was the first he had ever seen as a judge.

Currin admitted lying to a grand jury and laundering $1.3 million on behalf of a client, a prolific spammer who faced his own criminal charges. Currin admitted knowing his client's money was the proceeds of criminal activity, according to his affidavit.

After Currin pleaded guilty, his wife, Margaret Currin, a law professor at Campbell University's law school, wiped away tears. Her son put his arm around her.

Currin was a protege of former U.S. Senator Jesse Helms, who helped Currin be appointed as the top federal prosecutor in eastern North Carolina. Currin held that position from 1981 until 1987.