Butte judge to plead guilty to felony bribery

BUTTE (AP) — A former Butte city judge who resigned earlier this month citing personal reasons is expected to plead guilty to taking money in exchange for dismissing traffic and other misdemeanor tickets.

The Montana Standard reports (http://bit.ly/vn0jhq ) Steven J. Kambich acknowledges accepting cash and check payments on approximately 10 occasions in exchange for dismissing tickets. Federal court records show Kambich has agreed to plead guilty to felony bribery.

Kambich submitted his resignation on Dec. 8. It was effective on Dec. 15. He had held the $66,000-a-year job since 2004.

Court records say the FBI received a tip in March 2008 that Kambich was accepting bribes. Federal prosecutors say investigators found unexplained cash deposits in Kambich's bank accounts in 2008 totaling $13,900.

Kambich did not return a phone call to the Standard seeking comment.