Lawyer Interrupts Trial, Pleads Guilty in Bogus Bills Case

Interrupting his trial, a 36-year-old Los Angeles attorney pleaded guilty Wednesday in Los Angeles federal court to unlawfully handling more than $400,000 in counterfeit $100 bills.

Assistant U.S. Atty. William F. Fahey said the government had called its first witness against Michael Gottsegen, when the lawyer withdrew his not guilty plea and admitted that he had obtained the counterfeit money and delivered it to an associate, who was to sell it to “Las Vegas buyers” for $55,000. The so-called buyers turned out to be Secret Service agents.