According to an Associated Press report DeBartolo reached the plea agreement with federal prosecutors last month in which he will be granted leniency in exchange for testifying against Edwards. The information comes from a source close to the investigation who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The move could help DeBartolo in his efforts to regain control of the 49ers. He resigned as chairman and turned management control of the team over to his sister in December 1997, shortly after he was notified by prosecutors that he was a target of the investigation.
According to the source, DeBartolo is expected to enter a plea to a minor crime, pay a fine and avoid jail time in exchange for his testimony.
The Times-Picayune of New Orleans reported that the fine could be as high as $1 million.
The investigation appears to focus on the licensing of riverboat casinos in Louisiana.
Prosecutors say DeBartolo was involved in a scheme to illegally influence the awarding of a riverboat casino license.
A DeBartolo partnership won the state's last riverboat casino license in March 1997, just days after DeBartolo gave Edwards $400,000 in cash. Edwards has said the money was for legal and lobbying services, however Edwards was not governor at the time.
Aubrey Harwell, DeBartolo's lawyer refused to comment on reports on a deal by DeBartolo. He has predicted that there would be no sanctions against his client from the National Football League.
DeBartolo's ownership of the 49ers could be at risk because NFL rules allow commissioner Paul Tagliabue broad discretion to ban owners connected to criminal activity.
