Gilbert to enter change of plea again
By Terry Murry on Monday, January 16th, 2023 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
SPOKANE – The U.S. District Court in Spokane reports a new trial for former auto dealer Mark W. Gilbert has been cancelled as a change of plea hearing is set for March 6. Gilbert is charged with fraud in connection to a document associated with buying a home in Hawaii in 2014. According to the U.S. District Court, Gilbert will not be sentenced until his change of plea occurs.
In November, the judge refused to honor an earlier plea agreement, so Gilbert requested the guilty plea he entered withdrawn and the case against him be returned to trial track and that proceedings continue.
In April, when Gilbert originally pleaded guilty to the charge of fraud, federal prosecutors dismissed all other charges including bank fraud, aggravated identity theft and making a false declaration in relation to a bankruptcy case as part of the plea agreement.
Gilbert is the former owner of a chain of auto dealerships in College Place, Moses Lake and Walla Walla, Washington; Milton-Freewater and Pendleton, Oregon; and Moscow, Idaho.File photo
