ST. LOUIS — Former Missouri House Speaker John Diehl pleaded guilty to one count of felony wire fraud in connection with an alleged scheme involving the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Diehl, a St. Louis County Republican, appeared in federal court Thursday. He was released on his own recognizance pending a Dec. 19 sentencing hearing.

Prosecutors say the $379,900 scheme lasted from March 2020 to February 2024, after Diehl received a small business loan for Diehl Law Group through the 2020 CARES Act pandemic relief program.

Diehl transferred the money to his personal bank account and made payments on a Tesla, an Audi and a Jeep, credit card and mortgage bills and college tuition for a family member, as well as cash, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Hal Goldsmith.

The felony char

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