Bundy attorney: Feds turned down proposed plea deal

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Lawyers for Ammon Bundy say the leader of the Oregon wildlife refuge occupation offered after his arrest to plead guilty if charges against other defendants were dismissed, but the deal was rejected.

The assertion is made in a pre-trial motion filed in federal court on Wednesday.

Bundy was arrested by FBI agents and Oregon state troopers on Jan. 26. More than two dozen people have been arrested for the occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge that began Jan. 2 and ended with surrender of the last four on Feb. 11.

Bundy attorney Mike Arnold says his client offered on Jan. 29 to plead guilty to a federal conspiracy charge if charges against the others were dropped, and the proposal was rejected a day before the last occupiers gave up.