Ashley Furst, the American Horse Council’s (AHC) former communications director, has pleaded guilty to federal wire fraud in connection with the embezzlement of more than $500,000 from the nonproft organization. 

A written statement from the US Department of Justice said Furst entered the plea during a Jan. 29 appearance in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. The charge carries a statuary maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and potential penalties.

Under federal sentencing guidelines, Furst will likely face 27 to 33 months in prison and a fine of up to $100,000, and she has agreed to pay $545,594 in restitution and the same amount in a forfeiture money judgment, the statement said