JEFFERSON CITY, Mo., (AP) — A former Missouri House speaker was sentenced Monday to 21 months in prison after pleading guilty to wire fraud for misusing federal COVID-19 relief funds for his personal benefit.
Former Republican House Speaker John Diehl received about $380,000 in federal loans for his law firm between 2020 and 2022 through a program intended to help cover operating expenses for businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
But Diehl admitted in a September plea agreement that he instead used the money for personal expenses, including country club dues, swimming pool maintenance, his home mortgage and vehicle payments for a Tesla, Audi and Jeep. Prosecutors said he used more than half the money to fund his law firm's defined benefit plan, of which he was the only participant, and also paid off a civil settlement related to his time as state House speaker.
Diehl resigned as House speaker in 2015 after The Kansas City Star reported that he had exchanged sexually suggestive text messages with a college student serving as a Capitol intern. At the time, Diehl acknowledged “making a serious error in judgment by sending the text messages.”
In 2023, the Missouri Ethics Commission imposed a roughly $47,000 fine on Diehl for campaign finance violations, including allegations that he used nearly $6,800 of campaign funds to pay for personal expenses.
Diehl had asked the federal court to spare him from prison, noting that he had already paid back all the pandemic relief funds to the Small Business Administration.
The U.S. attorney's office had recommended a prison sentence of 21 to 27 months. In addition to prison time, the court on Monday ordered Diehl to pay a $50,000 fine.
“Through his education and public office, Defendant had every privilege and opportunity, and to put it bluntly, he knew better than to engage in the charged fraud scheme,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Hal Goldsmith said of Diehl in a court filing.
FILE - Missouri House Speaker John Diehl addresses the body for the final time, Friday, May 15, 2015, in Jefferson City, Mo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File)
Attempting to rebound from a 5-12 season, the Washington Commanders are bringing back the anchor of their offensive line and spending big money in free agency to improve the NFL's worst-ranked defense.
The Commanders on Monday re-signed starting left tackle Laremy Tunsil and agreed to sign edge rusher Odafe Oweh and cornerback Amik Robertson, according to a person with knowledge of the deals. Oweh's contract is worth $100 million over four years, with $68 million guaranteed, according to a second person familiar with that signing.
The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the moves had not been announced. Oweh and Robertson cannot sign until the new league year begins on Wednesday.
Oweh, 27, thrived with the Los Angeles Chargers last season after being traded from Baltimore in early October. He had 7 1/2 sacks in 12 games, following up on 10 with the Ravens in 2024.
Tunsil, who turns 32 on Aug. 2, was one of the highest-performing players at left tackle last season. He ranked second in pass blocking, according to Pro Football Focus, and allowed just two sacks and 15 quarterback pressures in 14 games.
A five-time Pro Bowl selection, Tunsil is now under contract through 2028. His new deal is reportedly worth $60.2 million with a $32.5 million signing bonus, the largest for an offensive lineman.
Washington paid a significant price to acquire Tunsil a year ago in a trade with Houston: a third- and a seventh-rounder last year and a second- and a fourth-rounder this year.
Bringing back Tunsil solidifies the offensive line to protect franchise quarterback Jayden Daniels, with versatile Nick Allegretti and Andrew Wylie also re-signing. Allegretti could move to center, with Wylie or Brandon Coleman at left guard, Sam Cosmi at right guard and 2025 first-round pick Josh Conerly at right tackle.
“I know that I can play center, right guard, left guard — whatever it is, I want to compete for a spot," Allegretti said on a video call with reporters. “Depending on what they do, if that center job is something I can compete for, that’s something that I want to do.”
Robertson, who turns 28 on July 6, replaces Marshon Lattimore, whom the Commanders released on Friday. Robertson spent the past two seasons with the Detroit Lions and had one interception over 34 games.
Backup QB Marcus Mariota also is re-signing with Washington on a one-year, $7 million contract that can be worth up to $11 million, according to a person with knowledge of that deal. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the move had not been announced.
Mariota, now 32, has been with the team since before Daniels was selected with the second pick in the 2024 draft and served as a mentor. Mariota, who started eight games last season after Daniels was injured, had expressed a desire to return.
As part of the organizational overhaul just 14 months removed from an improbable run to the NFC championship game, coach Dan Quinn's staff has two new coordinators. David Blough was promoted from assistant quarterbacks coach to run the offense, and Daronte Jones was hired from Minnesota to take control of the defense.
AP Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi contributed to this report.
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FILE - Detroit Lions' Amik Robertson in action during an NFL football game, Nov. 16, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, file)
FILE - Washington Commanders offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil (78) works during the second half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sep. 28, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik, File)
