Ex-Congressman Convicted Of Lying

Former Rep. Wes Cooley’s habit of stretching the truth caught up with him Tuesday when he was convicted of falsely claiming in the state Voters Pamphlet that he served with the Army in the Korean War.

Cooley, 64, was placed on two years’ probation and ordered to perform 100 hours of community service and pay $7,110 in fines and prosecution costs.

As part of a deal with prosecutors, the former Republican congressman offered no defense before Marion County Circuit Judge Al Norblad found him guilty. One of two counts of lying in official documents was dropped.

Cooley could have received up to 10 years in prison and $200,000 in fines.