A former top ranking Knox County Schools employee accused of using taxpayer dollars to fund a gambling habit pleaded guilty to felony theft Wednesday.
Roger Underwood, who served as KCS accounts payable supervisor, agreed to a three-year sentence. Knox County Criminal Court Judge Scott Green will determine his exact sentence during a Sept. 29 hearing.
Knox County Assistant District Attorney General Sean McDermott said Underwood owes $11,989 in restitution, which he's expected to pay prior to the hearing.
Underwood, who earned a salary of $96,000 annually, made personal charges for online gambling on a school system credit card from June 2014 to October 2014. He also received reimbursement for expenses on school-related trips that never happened.
KCS fired Underwood for misuse of the school system credit card in October 2014.
In November 2014, KCS did away with its charge cards, switching instead to the county's electronic purchase card, or e-card, program and travel card system.