Kansas City, Mo. ? A former financial official for an agency that operates government-funded preschool programs has pleaded guilty to awarding construction work in exchange for bribes.

Andrew P. Nyakatura, 45, of Kansas City, entered the guilty plea Thursday to one count of federal program bribery and one count of money laundering.

Nyakatura is the former controller and chief financial officer of KCMC Child Development Corporation Inc., a nonprofit agency that operates 11 federal Head Start programs in four counties in the Kansas City area.

He is accused in an August 2001 federal indictment of awarding Luther D. White about $1.1 million worth of construction work in exchange for more than $200,000 in bribes. White owns several businesses in Kansas City, Kan., including D&H Realty and Development Inc., according to the indictment.

As part of a plea agreement, the government will dismiss one count of conspiracy, one count of federal program fraud and five counts of money laundering against Nyakatura when he is sentenced.

Through his pleas, Nyakatura also admitted that he made several illegal financial transactions to conceal the nature and source of the illegally obtained funds.

Nyakatura could be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison without parole and fined up to $500,000.

Nyakatura is currently free on bond pending his sentencing.

White, 64, of Kansas City, Kan., has pleaded not guilty to his charges in the case and is awaiting trial.