Last of 9 accused of illegally viewing Obama’s student loan records pleads guilty in Iowa

Guilty plea in Obama student loan records case

DAVENPORT, Iowa — The last of nine former employees of a U.S. Department of Education contractor charged with unlawfully viewing President Barack Obama’s student loan records has pleaded guilty.

Online court records show that 54-year-old Andrew Lage of Iowa City pleaded guilty Thursday in U.S. District Court in Davenport to exceeding authorized computer access. Lage faces up to a year in prison when sentenced in December. A telephone message for his attorney Friday wasn’t returned.

The nine defendants worked in Iowa for Vangent Inc. They were accused of viewing the records while Obama was a candidate for president, president-elect or president.

Seven others also have pleaded guilty, while one was convicted at trial. Three have been sentenced so far, to probation or community service.