Cornelius Fudge--former Death Eater?

[durin's bane]

Ever since I finished OOTP, I've been wondering about this. I think he could have been a Death Eater. Here's my reasons:

-Fudge knew nothing about being Minister...perhaps he thought that if he became Minister for Magic, he'd be well guarded and Voldemort would think twice about going after him, since Fudge would have Aurors on his side.

-How do we know that advice on being Minister was the only thing Fudge wanted from Dumbledore? Maybe he was also asking for information on Voldemort's wherabouts and how to protect himself if Voldemort got to him.

-Fudge might not have wanted to believe that Voldemort was back not only because he Voldy's a powerful dark lord and all, but because Voldemort might discover Fudge's place if his return is advertised too much and Fudge is asked his opinion too much.

But I also have my doubts. After all, wouldn't Fudge be all the way with Dumbledore?

But he also could be a current Death Eater in secret because he was all of a sudden totally against Dumbledore after Voldemort's return, and maybe he kept telling people not to believe what Harry and Dumbledore were saying because he didn't want Voldemort's position discovered. And could he have made the Dementors flee Azkaban to allow the imprisoned Death Eater's to escape? After all, as Minister he has control over the Dementors.

I've given my opinions, so you give yours.