A husband and wife from Chillicothe pleaded guilty Thursday to charges stemming from the wife’s $4 million embezzlement from her job, and their joint income tax return that did not claim the money as income.

US Attorney Tammy Dickinson says Donna Preszler, 60, pleaded guilty before a US Magistrate to charges of wire fraud, money laundering and filing a false income tax return. Her husband, Terrance Preszler, 63, pleaded guilty to the tax charge.

Donna Preszler was employed at Burdg, Dunham & Associates Construction Corp. in Hamilton, Mo., from 2001 until June 2012.

She had worked as an accounting manager since 2004. BDA is a general contractor specializing in retail construction, primarily building for national retail organizations.

She admitted that she embezzled $3,912,000 in a wire fraud scheme that lasted six years, from June 30, 2006 through June 15, 2012. She also admitted that she conducted financial transactions that involved the proceeds of her criminal activity.

Donna and Terrance Preszler each admitted that they failed to report the fraudulently obtained funds on their federal income tax returns for tax years 2007 through 2012.

Donna Preszler added false and fictitious non-taxable payments, such as expense reimbursements, to herself. She also added false and fictitious overtime hours and overtime pay to her weekly payroll, totalling $137,121.

Donna Preszler concealed her transfers by password protecting her payroll information, creating false and fictitious expense accounts and otherwise manipulating BDA’s payroll and accounting records.

Under the terms of the plea agreements, the Preszlers must forfeit to the government any property derived from the proceeds of the criminal violations, including a money judgment of $3,912,000, two residential lots, two 14kt diamond rings, 10 vehicles, three ATVs and several bank accounts and funeral trust accounts. Most of those items have been seized by law enforcement agents.

Donna Preszler is subject to a sentence of up to 33 years in federal prison without parole, plus a fine up to $600,000 and an order of restitution. Terrance Preszler is subject to a sentence of up to three years in federal prison without parole, plus a fine up to $100,000 and an order of restitution. Sentencing hearings will be scheduled later.