Former N.L. civil servant Bill Murray in Supreme Court in St. John's Jan 26. (CBC)

The former civil servant at the heart of the spending scandal in Newfoundland and Labrador was apologetic after pleading guilty to fraud and three other charges.

Bill Murray told a Supreme Court judge in St. John's that "not a day goes by that I don't regret the bad choices and decisions I have made."

Murray pleaded guilty Tuesday morning to fraud over $5,000 and three counts of accepting rewards, for his role in the scandal that involved millions of dollars in questionable and illegal spending, and has resulted in jail terms for a number of former politicians.

Other related charges that he faced were withdrawn.

Murray had been charged with three other counts of fraud against the government, a charge formerly known as influence peddling, along with charges of fraud, breach of trust and uttering a forged document.

A statement of facts detailing Murray's crimes, including the revelation that he attempted to commit suicide in June 2006 after the scandal became public, was presented to the court.

The court document said Murray committed the crimes between April 1998 and March 2006.

The Crown and defence are recommending Murray be sentenced to two years in jail, along with two years' probation after his release.

The court is also being asked that Murray be ordered to pay $177,000 in restitution.

Former finance director

Murray was suspended from his job as director of finance at the house of assembly in June 2006, when Auditor General John Noseworthy began releasing a series of explosive reports on spending at the legislature.

After the statement of facts was presented Tuesday, Murray addressed the court and told the judge that he accepts full responsibility and offers no excuses for his actions.

He apologized for the "hurt" and "shame" he caused his family and the people of the province.

Murray apologized specifically to John Noel, the former clerk of the house and Murray's former boss, who he said trusted him with overseeing the province's finances.

"I know he trusted me and I let that man down," said Murray, who will be sentenced Feb. 22.

The auditor general's reports led to criminal charges against Murray and four former politicians — Progressive Conservative Ed Byrne, Liberals Wally Andersen and Jim Walsh, and New Democrat Randy Collins. The four were all given sentences ranging from 15 months to two years.

The audits also prompted an overhaul of how the legislature was managed.