Espionage suspect pleaded to overbilling government

WASHINGTON (AP) — Court records show a former government scientist accused of attempted espionage last week pleaded guilty earlier this year to overbilling NASA and the Department of Defense more than $265,000 for contracting work.

Nozette was arrested last week and accused of selling sensitive government secrets to an FBI agent posing as an Israeli intelligence operative.

The unsealed court documents state that Nozette pleaded guilty in January to overbilling NASA and the Defense Department between 2000 and 2006 and spending the money on personal bills and maintaining his swimming pool.