A Kansas business owner pleaded guilty to federal charges last week, for conspiring to defraud a school subsidy program and for lying about his employment to receive federal housing assistance through the Lawrence-Douglas County Housing Authority.

Leonard Douglas LaDuron, of Everett, Wash., faces up to 10 years in prison and a $500,000 fine for the crimes.

Prosecutors said LaDuron fraudulently obtained money from the government’s E-Rate Program, which provides subsidies to schools and libraries to purchase and install technology and technology services.

He also forged a signature to make it appear he was an hourly employee of a company he operated, Serious ISP Inc., so his family could continue to receive rental housing assistance from the housing authority.

LaDuron’s mother, Mary Jo LaDuron, also pleaded guilty to lying to FBI agents about her knowledge of the E-Rate Program. The Leavenworth woman also told them she was unaware who owned a business she worked for, Elephantine Corporation, another business that was owned by her son.