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Assemblyman Anthony Seminerio (D-Glendale) was indicted on federal corruption charges Wednesday, scuttling hopes for a pre-indictment plea deal.

Seminerio, 73, was charged with one count of honest services mail fraud after allegedly taking approximately $1 million from various businesses in exchange for political favors. The initial complaint cited half that, about $500,000 in illegal payments.

The indictment accused Seminerio of defrauding the public of his honest services through a phony consulting firm, Marc Consultants, to solicit and receive “consulting” payments from persons and entities with business before the state. Seminerio allegedly received approximately $1 million from those entities in exchange for favorable treatment from the state government, the indictment said. The organizations included hospitals, a consulting firm with links to an educational institution and a business marketing supplemental insurance package to public institutions.

The veteran lawmaker was fingered during an undercover operation that included recorded meetings. In one session, he allegedly admitted that he started the consulting firm as a means of getting paid for political favors.

“I was doing favors for these sons of bitches … They were making thousands,” he said. “Screw you, from now on, you know, I’m a consultant.”

Seminerio ran uncontested for a 16th term in November despite the pending indictment.

His lawyer, Ira Cooper, had publicly stated last month that he was exploring a plea deal to keep the aging lawmaker from receiving jail time.

If convicted, Seminerio faces up to 20 years in prison.