A longtime Whidbey Island lawyer has admitted embezzling more than $1 million of his clients' money.

The U.S. Attorney's Office in Portland said Peter Allen Moote, 63, pleaded guilty Monday in Seattle to one count of mail fraud. He faces a maximum 20 years in prison and $250,000 fine at sentencing set for June 22. He also agreed to pay restitution to his victims, in an amount to be determined.

U.S. Attorney Amanda Marshall said Moote represented clients in personal-injury, sexual-harassment, discrimination and other cases, negotiating settlements for many of them and receiving their settlement checks. Moote admitted he used the embezzled money for his own expenses and for gambling, among other things.