LEXINGTON, Ky. — Bath County Attorney, Donald “Champ” Maze, pleaded guilty to buying votes, aiding and abetting, and perjury after being indicted in October of last year, U.S. Attorney Amul R. Thapar announced today. Maze, 46, pleaded guilty before United States District Court Judge Joseph M. Hood.

Judge Hood also ordered Maze to turn in his resignation as Bath County Attorney before noon, on Feb. 14. As part of the plea agreement, the United States dismissed all other counts of the indictment.

Maze’s plea came on day five of his jury trial for charges of vote buying, perjury and obstruction of justice in regards to the May 2006 primary. In the course of his plea, Maze admitted to paying Tammy Manly $100, Annette Mitchell $100 and Norman Crouch $200, to add his name to the slate of candidates for whom they were paying voters to vote.

Maze won the May 2006 primary against Kim Price Hunt, who had beaten Maze in the previous election for the seat.

Maze also admitted that, on Sept. 8, 2006, during his appearance before a Grand Jury, he lied to the Grand Jury while under oath about giving any money to those persons who were indicted.

United States Attorney Amul R. Thapar said his office is committed to fighting public corruption at all levels and restoring the confidence citizens have in the voting process.

“Public Officials have the opportunity to better the communities they live in and reinstate the trust citizens have in the election process,” Thapar said. “The moment they put themselves, and their greed, ahead of the community, they have failed.”

Maze faces up to five years in prison, a maximum fine of $250,000 and three years of supervised release. He is scheduled to be sentenced in United States District Court in Lexington, Ky. on May 7, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. Maze is released on bond pending sentencing.

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The United States was represented in the case by Assistant United States Attorney Kenneth R. Taylor.