Woman pleads in theft from dead Mich. soldier fund

MONROE, Mich. (AP) - A 42-year-old woman who authorities say embezzled more than $4,000 from a college scholarship fund founded in honor of a U.S. soldier killed in Iraq has pleaded guilty in the case.

Renee Seger of Ida Township pleaded guilty Friday before Monroe County Circuit Court Judge Joseph Costello Jr. to one count of embezzlement. She faces up to 5 years in prison when sentenced Sept. 12.

Twenty-one-year-old Army Pfc. Nicholas J. Greer of Monroe died Oct. 7, 2005, when insurgents attacked his patrol unit in Haqlaniyah, Iraq.

A fund in his honor was created from fundraisers held by Greer's mother. Authorities say Seger was a friend of the Greer family and a co-executive of the scholarship fund, and took the money in part to pay bills.