Former judge pleads no contest in embezzlement case

John W. Butts

NEW LONDON, Conn. (AP) - A former Connecticut attorney and probate judge is not contesting his role in the embezzlement of $277,000 in assets from a probate client.

John Butts, of Salem, pleaded no contest Friday to a first-degree larceny charge at court in New London.

The Day reports that he faces up to two years in prison when he is sentenced in March.

Butts accepted a plea offer involving 10 years in prison, suspended after up to two years served, followed by five years of probation.

His attorney says the 66-year-old Butts had surrendered his law license and has repaid some of the money.

Investigators say he deposited money from his client fund account into his personal account.

He was a probate judge from 2003 to 2011.

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Former judge pleads no contest in embezzlement case