Former WKU civil engineering professor Matthew Dettman pleaded guilty to felony fraud and faces up to 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000, WBKO reported.

Dettman, 52, was charged Sept. 7 by the FBI for diverting payments for concrete and soil tests that should have gone to WKU in the amount of $236,000. As part of the plea, Dettman will be required to pay restitution to WKU for the same amount.

Dettman was placed on unpaid administrative leave in October 2017 and resigned in December according to a WKU statement. 

Dettman was hired in 1992 as an assistant professor, promoted to associate professor in 1997 and was granted tenure in 1998, according to a former Herald article, 

Dettman held the James D. Scott Professorship in Civil Engineering since 2001.