Updated

A former federal prosecutor in Connecticut has pleaded guilty to stealing more than $600,000 from the owner of a trash-hauling company he once represented.

The Connecticut Post (http://bit.ly/1RpIrWK ) reports that H. James Pickerstein said in court Thursday that he accepts "complete responsibility" for his actions.

Pickerstein, who served as a U.S. attorney until the 1980s before moving into private practice, pleaded guilty to mail fraud.

Prosecutors say the 69-year-old Pickerstein stole from the accounts of Danbury trash-hauling magnate James Galante. Galante was convicted and sentenced to prison on racketeering and wire fraud charges. Prosecutors say Pickerstein took the money from Galante's accounts, saying it was for legal fees, and used it for personal purposes.

Pickerstein remains free pending sentencing, which has not been scheduled.

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Information from: Connecticut Post, http://www.connpost.com