Former state health department official enters guilty plea

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- Former deputy health commissioner Brent VanMeter pleaded guilty Friday in federal court to accepting bribes from a nursing home owner. <br><br>VanMeter was accused of accepting $18,800

Friday, November 22nd 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- Former deputy health commissioner Brent VanMeter pleaded guilty Friday in federal court to accepting bribes from a nursing home owner.

VanMeter was accused of accepting $18,800 in bribes from nursing home businessman E-W ``Dub'' Jiles. He and Jiles were indicted in February.

As part of a plea agreement, prosecutors will drop two other charges against VanMeter and he will testify against Jiles.

VanMeter is already serving a three-year prison sentence for asking for a bribe from nursing home owner Jim Smart. Smart was also convicted and sentenced to three years for agreeing to pay the bribe.

VanMeter still faces to conspiracy charges for allegedly helping two ``ghost'' employees stay on the Health Department payroll despite doing little or no work.