Ex-congressman Trey Radel's record expunged

WASHINGTON – Former Republican Rep. Trey Radel, of Fort Myers, who resigned in January after pleading guilty to misdemeanor cocaine possession last year, has completed his probation and his criminal record has been expunged, federal prosecutors confirmed Friday.

"Mr. Radel successfully completed all conditions of his probation," said William Miller, a spokesman for the U.S. attorney's office.

Miller said a judge granted Radel's request for early termination of his probation on July 18. Radel then asked to have his case dismissed and his record expunged, with no objection from the government, Miller said.

"The court granted that request and the records are now expunged," he said.

News that Radel's record has been expunged was first reported by WINK-TV.

District of Columbia Superior Court Judge Robert Tignor sentenced Radel on Nov. 20 to one year's supervised probation (through Nov. 19), and ordered him to complete a substance abuse treatment program and pay $250 to the Victims of Violent Crime Compensation Fund.

He also was required to submit to random drug tests each month.

Radel, a former radio talk show host, completed the 28-day treatment program at a Naples facility in December and returned to Congress on Jan. 7. He tried to carry on with his political career, but closed-door apologies to colleagues and his public vows to "rebuild and regain trust" with his Southwest Florida constituents apparently were not enough.

Gov. Rick Scott and other prominent Republicans asked Radel to resign. The House Ethics Committee said it would investigate his actions, and candidates emerged to challenge Radel in this year's elections. One of those candidates, Republican Curt Clawson, won a special election in June to replace Radel in the 19th Congressional District.

After resigning, Radel retreated to private life in Fort Myers. He did not respond to a request for comment Friday.

In June, Community Supervision Officer Angela Parker filed to terminate Radel's probation early, according to a consent motion seeking expungement provided by the U.S. attorney's office.

"The supervision of the probation department does not seem necessary at this time," Parker wrote in a memo to the judge. "The offender has completed all special conditions of probation."

In August, Radel's attorney, Lisa Manning, petitioned the court to make the expungement final.

"He humbly requests that the Court confirm the discharge of his probation and dismissal of the proceedings, and then order expungement of the related records," Manning wrote on Radel's behalf.

Expungement means there will be no official record of Radel's arrest, indictment, hearing or finding of guilt.

Radel was busted in a sting operation in Washington after an undercover police officer sold him 3.5 grams of cocaine for $250 at a restaurant in Washington. He became the first member of Congress to plead guilty to cocaine possession.

Contact Ledyard King at lking@gannett.com; Twitter: @ledegking