Topeka ? A 55-year-old Lawrence man pleaded guilty Wednesday to embezzling approximately $1 million from his company and business partners over a 10-year period, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

According to court documents, Mark Elzea, of Lawrence, and four others in 2003 purchased a janitorial and cleaning equipment business, Pur-O-Zone at 345 N. Iowa St., becoming equal partners after working for the company for more than a decade.

Elzea acted as the controller, preparing finances, handling purchasing and “basically had financial control of the company,” the court documents said.

Elzea admitted the embezzlement began in 2004 and was not caught until May 2014, when a fellow Pur-O-Zone partner received a call from a vendor who had not received a check.

While investigating the missing payment, the partner saw that Elzea had signed off on multiple checks issued by Pur-O-Zone made payable to a personal bank account in Illinois, the court documents said. Pur-O-Zone maintains its accounts at US Bank in Lawrence.

In accordance with the plea, Elzea agreed to pay the $1 million back in restitution to his business partners.

Elzea faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is set for Dec. 19. Elzea is currently free on a $10,000 bond, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.