Nick Walters, the former Mississippi director of USDA Rural Development, pleaded guilty Tuesday to a misdemeanor charge for work he performed for Natchez Regional Medical Center after he left the government agency.

Walters’ attorney, Cliff Johnson, said all felony charges were dismissed and Walters will not serve jail time.

U.S. Attorney Don Burkhalter said Walters admitted discussing with USDA employees a loan that Natchez Regional wanted from the agency.

In early 2006, when Walters was still with USDA, he met with hospital officials who wanted to apply for a loan from the agency.

Burkhalter said Walters resigned from USDA in early August 2006 and then talked to the USDA staff about the Natchez hospital loan. Later that month, Walters helped the hospital submit its loan application.