ST. LOUIS - Defendant John J. Diehl pleaded guilty Thursday to a wire fraud scheme involving $379,900.

He acknowledged to a federal judge that he diverted pandemic relief funds for personal use. Diehl dodged cameras after the hearing, ducking back into the courthouse to avoid questions.

He answered the judge in court, though, as she asked, “Did you have the intent to defraud?”

Diehl answered, “Yes.”

He took CARES Act funds, money meant to assist his law firm through the pandemic.

A federal prosecutor said the money was meant to help small businesses. Instead, it came out in court he used the money for country club fees, college tuition, pool maintenance and payments to Tesla, Audi and Jeep.

It’s not Diehl’s first brush with infamy, as he resigned in 2015 as Missouri House Speaker following an alleged sex scandal with a 19-year-old intern.

“I hope someday I’m forgiven for my mistakes,” he told the House floor in May 2015.

Prosecutors say he began his wire fraud five years later.

A federal judge allowed him to walk free without paying a bond in this current case, as he waits to hear his sentence

Diehl’s defense attorney also told the judge that his client has already repaid the $379,900. Diehl will return to court in December to hear his possible prison time of up to 20 years.