Former state Sen. Eric Stewart, a candidate in 2012 for the 4th District U.S. Congress seat, pleaded guilty Thursday to a felony theft charge in Winchester, Tenn.
The plea before Circuit Court Judge Curtis Smith was entered under terms of judicial diversion, according to 12th Judicial District Attorney General Mike Taylor.
Stewart pleaded guilty to a count of theft of property $500 to $1,000, a class E felony. He was sentenced to two years of supervised probation and 100 hours of community service and ordered to pay court costs and $750 in restitution to victims Don and Bonnie Plattenburg, who own a contracting firm in Franklin County.
Stewart’s attorney, Chattanooga lawyer Lee Davis, said Stewart paid the restitution before leaving the Franklin County Courthouse on Thursday.
“I think it was a fair resolution offered by District Attorney Mike Taylor,” Davis said. “Eric fully accepted responsibility for the mistake he made, paid the $750 restitution and has been granted diversion by the court which will allow him to have it dismissed and expunged off his record.