ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. — There was an attempted plea agreement Thursday for the son of a former North Carolina congressman, but the judge turned it down.

A district court judge scruntized the 51-page indictment against Garey Ballance and his father, Rep. Frank Ballance. The judge asked prosecutors about Frank Ballance's nonprofit organization, the Hyman Foundation, the money it received and the people involved with it.

The judge rejected the plea agreement, saying it was not in the interest of the court. The judge said the deal would have granted immunity to Garey Ballance.

Garey Ballance, a district court judge, faces a misdemanor tax violation charge. Investigators say he failed to report $20,000 in income he received from the Hyman Foundation.

Frank Ballance was indicted in September on one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and money laundering. He faces up to five years in prison if convicted.