Former state Rep. Ron Sailor pleaded guilty Tuesday to federal charges of defrauding the church he pastored of $250,000 while cooperating with federal investigators in a public corruption probe.

Sailor's plea, in effect, cancels an agreement he struck in March to assist federal authorities in a corruption investigation in exchange for a lighter sentence. Sailor pleaded guilty to money laundering charges on March 18. As part of his plea agreement, Sailor was ordered to refrain from illegal activity.

JOHN SPINK/AJC (ENLARGE)

Ron Sailor Jr.

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On March 11, according to prosecutors, Sailor took out a $250,000 loan. He used his southwest Atlanta church, Greater New Light Missionary Baptist Church as collateral. Over the following two weeks, Sailor used $141,386.72 on various personal expenses, including paying debts.

Along with the original money laundering charge, Sailor pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud. The former Lithonia lawmaker could be sentenced to up to 80 years in prison and fined $2.25 million. Sailor has agreed to forfeit all property traceable to his crimes and pay restitution to his victims.

Sailor said little at his sentencing hearing.

When U.S. District Court Judge Jack Camp asked if he was guilty of the charges, Sailor replied, "yes your honor."

U.S Attorney David Nahmias called Sailor's actions "disturbing and reprehensible ... As a result of his continued criminal conduct, Sailor now faces a much longer prison sentence than originally anticipated."

Nahmias acknowledged that Sailor's credibility as a federal witness "has been impaired pretty significantly." But he said the investigation is continuing and that Sailor is obligated to testify if call upon to do so.

He is scheduled to be sentenced Sept. 16.