Attorneys say a nephew of Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson plans to resign from the state senate to focus on defending himself from corruption charges.
Attorneys for Republican state Sen. Jeremy Hutchinson Attorneys on Friday called the new accusations that he had spent campaign funds on personal expenses, including a Caribbean cruise and tuition payments, inaccurate. But they say he's stepping down so that Capitol business can proceed without "unnecessary distraction."
Federal prosecutors announced earlier Friday that Jeremy Hutchinson is charged with eight counts of wire fraud and four counts of filing false tax returns. He issued a statement saying he plans to defend himself against the charges.
Hutchinson announced last year that he wouldn't seek re-election this year. He is the latest in a string of Arkansas legislators to face accusations of corruption.