By Brad Segall

NORRISTOWN, Pa. (CBS) — The former chairman of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners will enter a probationary program for first-time offenders that will resolve his case involving one misdemeanor count of false swearing (see previous story).

As part of his agreement with prosecutors, Jim Matthews did not admit guilt but agreed to enter the ARD (Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition) program and spend a year on probation.

If he abides by the guidelines, his record will be expunged after a year.

Matthews, a 63-year-old Lower Gwynedd resident, will also pay a fine and donate $12,000 to the Freedoms Foundation of Valley Forge.

Matthews says he was delighted with the outcome and was looking forward to the future.

“I’ve always felt very positive, in good hands with good counsel, just delighted and glad to move on, looking forward to (the GOP convention in) Tampa and the fall election,” he told KYW Newsradio today.

The charge against Matthews stemmed from testimony he gave to a grand jury investigating the way the county did business.  In March, a judge tossed out a related felony perjury charge.

In a letter to Montgomery County DA Risa Ferman, Matthews said he accepts responsibility and apologizes for his actions.