Kansas City, Mo. ? The former business manager of a suburban Baptist church has admitted stealing nearly $618,000 from its accounts.

Dwight Free, 60, pleaded guilty Tuesday to one count of wire fraud, confessing that he took the money from Tri-City Ministries of Independence to support his real estate development company.

Under a plea agreement, Free admitted to stealing the minimum amount believed to have been stolen, said Don Ledford, a spokesman for the U.S. attorney’s office here.

Free was Tri-City’s business manager from June 1996 to August 2002. He faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, but under the plea agreement, prosecutors could recommend a reduced sentence if Free provides substantial assistance in the investigation.

An independent audit by the church in 2003 showed Free took more than $1 million, Tri-City Pastor Carl Herbster said. Those findings were reported to police, but the church has not been involved in the federal inquiry, Herbster said.

The church announced to its congregation in July 2003 that Free confessed to the theft and that he said he was the only one involved; Herbster said he had no reason to believe anything different now.

Under the plea agreement, Free is required to provide further information of criminal activity at the church, according to prosecutor Michael Warner.

Free’s attorney, J.R. Hobbs, would not say what information his client could give prosecutors.

Ledford said it would be “inappropriate to speculate on other individuals” who may have been involved in the fraud scheme.

Tri-City Ministries’ findings about Free came as it dealt with debt that had reached $15 million at the 1,500-member church.

Free has moved to North Carolina and will remain free on a signature bond until sentencing.