V.A. official to plead guilty to conspiracy

A Veterans Affairs official who ran a pharmacy in the Chicago suburbs has agreed to plead guilty to conspiracy and wire fraud.

William Brandt was the associate director of a VA pharmacy in Hines from 1996 until 2007. The pharmacy mails prescriptions to veterans.

The U.S. Department of Justice says Brandt hired pharmacists from his wife's temporary employment agency, then overcharged the VA for their services.

Officials say Evergreen Park-based Pronto Staffing Inc. billed the government more than $8 million. The company and Brandt's wife, Esperanza Brandt, also agreed to plead guilty.

The plea agreements were filed in U.S. District Court in Chicago on Monday.