Former Montgomery County Commissioner Jim Matthews has agreed to one year on probation without admitting guilt on a misdemeanor charge of false swearing.

He has also agreed to pay the cost of his prosecution and make a $12,000 donation to the Freedoms Foundation, a Valley Forge nonprofit that helps raise awareness of democratic principles.

The charge stemmed from allegations that Matthews lied to a grand jury about the relationship between his family’s mortgage company and a title firm.  The probe centered around campaign contributions and county contracts, but the grand jury did not find sufficient evidence of criminality there.

Matthews is a 63-year-old Lower Gwynedd resident.  His lawyer says he is pleased with the outcome and looking forward to moving on with his life.