BRADENTON

Mande Babyak, arrested in connection with a prescription-fraud scheme in 2005, avoided a lengthy prison sentence Wednesday by signing a plea agreement with the state. She will be sentenced at a later date. But, under a plea agreement, she will be sentenced to five years' probation and no prison time. She must also pay fines and court costs and assist federal or state prosecutors in drug cases.

Roger D. Futerman, Babyak's attorney, said his client could have faced up to 410 months in prison if she had gone to trial and was convicted.