The former executive director of a Montgomery-based career and technical education organization pleaded guilty Thursday to embezzling funds and failing to send employees’ payroll taxes to the IRS, causing a loss of nearly $3 million, prosecutors announced Friday.

Under a plea agreement with federal prosecutors in Montgomery, Doris Gilmore, the 61-year-old former executive director of the Association for Career and Technical Education, or ALACTE, admitted to embezzling ALACTE funds in 2020 and failing to send payroll taxes withheld during the first quarter of 2022.

Gilmore’s crimes resulted in a loss of more than $2.8 million, said Sandra J. Stewart, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama, which includes Montgomery.

Between 2020 and 2022, ALACTE received federal grant funds through various Alabama agencies.

As director, Gilmore was responsible for budgeting approving payments, and developing and disbursing payroll funds. She also prepared and filed federal and state tax returns, payroll tax returns, and W-2s.

A sentencing date has not been set for Gilmore.

She faces a maximum of 10 years in prison along with substantial fines and restitution.