The former Franklin County Public Works accounting director who was accused of embezzling $1.8 million has pleaded guilty as charged to theft, money laundering and cocaine possession.

Dennis Huston changed his plea Thursday in Franklin County Superior Court.

KNDO reports ( http://bit.ly/11kmnTq) the assistant state attorney general who prosecuted the case is recommending a 15-year prison term when the 65-year-old is sentenced in six to eight weeks.

Huston was arrested and fired last February. Investigators said he charged the county for equipment it never received and put the money in his own bank account to pay for cocaine and gambling.

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Information from: KNDO-TV, http://www.kndo.com/