Two Kenyans have pleaded guilty to defrauding schools in two districts in the United States of $3.1 million (Sh270 million).
Florine Mati and David Mbugua, who run four tutoring companies in Dallas and Fort Worth areas, pleaded guilty to the charge on Tuesday.
They admitted to billing the money to schools in the two districts for teaching services that they never rendered.
The tutoring companies based in Hurst, Texas had promised to help poor kids from schools in Dallas access extra tuition.
Mati, 42, and Mbugua, 43, who appeared in orange prison jump suits and their ankles in shackles before US magistrate Judge Paul D Stinckey, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to make false, fictitious or fraudulent claims.
They have been in federal custody since their arrest in March this year. They were detained after the court determined that they were flight risks.
They each face five years jail term, $250,000 (Sh21.75 million) fine and refund the stolen money.
Mati and Mbugua admitted that they sent some of the proceeds to Kenya where they bought property.
Mati wired $783,625 (Sh68.2 million) of the company proceeds to family in Nairobi.
Mbugua admitted wiring $85,000 (Sh7.4 million) to himself and family in Kenya, and the money was used to build a house.
As part of their restitution, they have agreed to work with the US government to sell the property in Kenya and turn over any proceeds.
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