NEW YORK (CNN) -- New York State Comptroller Alan Hevesi resigned Friday to avoid a felony indictment by a New York State grand jury charging him with defrauding the government by having staffers drive his wife and assist her in with personal matters from 2003-2006.

Hevesi pleaded guilty to a lesser felony charge of defrauding the government, a Class E felony, and will pay a $5,000 fine. Hevesi admitted the wrongdoing when allegations surfaced in November, and has repaid the state more than $200,000.

After accepting the plea deal, Hevesi read a statement in court citing security concerns for having state employees drive his sick wife during those three years, but he admitted that there was a brief period of time where he ordered employees to assist his wife with matters not related to her security.

Hevesi was recently re-elected as comptroller despite the growing scandal, and his second term would have begun on January 1.