KANSAS CITY, MO – Scott Beeson, the former fleet manager of Ferrellgas Inc. accused of embezzlement from the company, pleaded guilty April 22 in federal court, according to the Kansas City Business Journal.

Beeson, 52, of North Kansas City, admitted to wire fraud and money laundering, charges made against him on suspicion that he stole more than $3 million from the company.

Beeson originally was a defendant in a civil suit Ferrellgas filed in March 2008 in Platte County Circuit Court.

At the time, Ferrellgas claimed that Beeson, a fleet department manager for 13 years, created phony invoices from vendors for unperformed work. Ferrellgas cut checks to the vendors, Helgers Trucking and Sales and Ideal Solution LLC, which then sent 95 percent of the check amount back to Beeson.

Beeson either kept the money in his personal bank account or deposited it into a bank account for his nonprofit company Prominent Youth Inc.

That company held itself out as an organization providing entrepreneurial opportunities for children.

Beeson faces up to 30 years in prison and $500,000 in fines and restitution when he is sentenced on a date yet to be determined.

Beeson will sign over his portion of his employee stock-ownership plan to cover some of the restitution order.