Former State Department official pleads guilty in bid probe

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) — Federal prosecutors say a former State Department employee has pleaded guilty to disclosing confidential bid proposals in an effort to help a friend win a lucrative government contract for embassy furniture.
In a news release, prosecutors say 69-year-old Patricia DeLaughter pleaded guilty Friday to illegally disclosing contractor bid or proposal information. She faces up to five years in prison when sentenced in November.
Delaughter was responsible for procuring furn