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From the Post:

Ex-Bush Aide Pleads Guilty to Theft
Claude Allen Blames Stress and Sleep Deprivation for Target Scam

By Ernesto Londoño
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, August 4, 2006; 2:18 PM

Former White House aide Claude A. Allen pleaded guilty today to one misdemeanor count of theft, attributing his criminal behavior to sleep deprivation and the stressful nature of his job last fall.

Montgomery County Circuit Court Judge Eric M. Johnson asked Allen to pay a $500 fine, plus $850 in restitution to Target, one of the stores where he stole items through a refund scheme. Allen will not be incarcerated and could have a clean record within two years if he satisfactorily completes his supervised probation.

Allen, 45, speaking publicly for the first time about the thefts, said he had no excuses for his actions, but described the time during which they happened as particularly stressful.

"I accept full responsibility for my actions," Allen told the judge. "Something did go very wrong. I lost perspective and failed to restrain myself....