Under the plea bargain, Tebano pleaded guilty to second-degree harassment, which carries no time in jail. City Court Judge Guido Loyola also fined Tebano $250, plus court-related costs and ordered him to complete 250 hours of community service. He was also ordered to stay away from the girl, now 16, and give a DNA sample.

Tebano had been accused of fondling her as they watched a "Star Wars" movie at his Maryland Avenue home Aug. 31, 2005.

Before the plea deal was struck, Loyola rejected an attempt by special prosecutor Jeb Conboy to enter into evidence four separate cases dating to 1996, where Tebano allegedly engaged in inappropriate sexual conduct.

In one incident, Conboy alleged Tebano took "nearly nude" pictures of three underage girls after luring them to a relative's business.

Tebano's attorney, Peter Lynch of Albany, argued the old cases were all lies.

Tebano, 38, was accompanied by his wife, County Judge Karen Drago, and two other women during the proceedings.

A year ago, Tebano held both the county and Schenectady city GOP chairmanships and was the $75,000-per-year Republican county elections commissioner.

Tebano had faced third-degree sexual abuse, forcible touching and child endangerment, all misdemeanors. Outside court, Lynch insisted his client's admission "had absolutely nothing to do with any inappropriate sexual behavior."

"We were looking forward to going to trial, but given the stress of going through a trial, we decided to wrap it up and we'll move on," he said. "We're satisfied with the results and Armando has accepted responsibility."

Reached on his cellphone later, Tebano declined comment.

Afterward, the girl's father -- whose identity the Times Union is withholding because it could reveal her identity -- said his daughter can begin the healing process. "She endured something that no one should have to endure," he added, noting they didn't want her to have to "relive this nightmare."

Nelson can be reached at 454-5347 or by e-mail at pnelson@timesunion.com.