WICHITA, KAN. – A former bookkeeper pleaded guilty Friday to embezzling $247,000 from a Wichita steel company where she worked, according to Acting U.S. Attorney Tom Beall.

Cynthia K. Griffith, 58, Wichita, pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud. In her plea, she admitted she stole the money from Griffith Steel Erection of Wichita where she worked. She wrote unauthorized checks on the company’s operating account.

Sentencing is set for Sept. 21. She faces a penalty of up to 30 years in federal prison and a fine up to $1 million. Beall commended the Wichita Police Department and Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Smith for their work on the case.