Former DLT worker has agreed to plead guilty to stealing more than $500,000

A former state employee accused of pilfering more than a half a million dollars has agreed to plead guilty to charges of theft of government funds, computer fraud and conspiracy.

37-year-old Ambulai Sheku is accused of stealing from the DLT from 2009 to 2015. DLT spokesman Mike Healey calls the whole thing sickening.

"It really does make us gag at the scope of it,” said Healey.

According to the indictment, the 37–year–old was able to get money for himself and others by changing the mailing addresses of legitimate beneficiaries.

Court documents allege that the former senior employment interviewer was able to do all of this by among other things stealing passwords from co–workers.

"Doing what he did, he was able to get in and get access to just about everything in terms of individual accounts that he targeted. And, that’s where he reeked havoc,” said Healey.

Sheku was caught about a year and a half ago in a quarterly audit. Since that time, the DLT says it’s made a lot of changes including strengthening computer passwords.

"Mainly it’s a much strengthened management team that is back there,” said Healey. "The security protocols we’ve implemented in the last 18 months have made it a much better operation."

The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Rhode Island told ABC 6 News they cannot comment since this remains an open case.

Sheku faces penalties of up to 35 years in prison and a fine of up to $750,000.

(C) WLNE 2016