By CRISTINA JANNEY

Hays Post

A Hays bookkeeper who tried to claim millions from her former employer’s estate entered into a plea agreement Friday morning in U.S. District Court in Wichita.

Wanda Oborny, who was charged with seven counts of mail fraud, changed her plea from not guilt to guilty on one count of mail fraud. The other six counts were dismissed.

The charges stemmed form her mailing a fraudulent codicil for her employer’s will to Fort Hays State University and other parties who were beneficiaries in the will, including Field’s relatives.

Under the plea, Oborny will serve 12 months of probation, make a charitable donation of $100 each month for 12 months to Fort Hays State University and pay a mandatory special assessment of $100.

By taking the plea, Oborny avoids a sentence of up to 20 years of prison and  $250,000 fine.

Oborny was a bookkeeper for Hays resident Earl O. Field. Oborny alleged 98-year-old Field signed a codicil to his will shortly before his death in 2013, leaving half of his $20 million estate to her with a quarter of the estate going to Fort Hays State University Foundation and the rest going to Field’s attorney, Joseph Jeter.

After a long court battle, the Fort Hays University Foundation received the bulk of the estate as was stated in the original will.

Sentencing has been set for May 29.