The last defendant in a courthouse construction scandal that involved a once-powerful New Mexico politician has pleaded guilty in the case.

Construction manager Michael Murphy's plea Wednesday in federal court closes the case, which earlier led to guilty pleas by former state Senate President Pro Tem Manny Aragon and six other defendants.

Defendants were accused of using inflated and false invoices to bilk the state of $4.2 million during construction of the county courthouse in Albuquerque.

Murphy pleaded guilty to accepting a $20,000 check from a co-defendant, former court administrator Toby Martinez.

The 59-year-old Murphy faces up to three years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Aragon faces 5 1/2 years in prison in a plea deal.