(Radio Iowa) – The former executive director of the Des Moines area Metro Waste Authority has pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud after investigators say he improperly collected at least one-point-eight million dollars. A special investigation released by the state auditor in December indicated Jeff Dworek created a shell company, submitted fake invoices to the Des Moines area’s Metro Waste Authority and collected the checks himself. He was also accused of signing off on improper payments to a company controlled by an associate. The Des Moines Register was first to report that a federal judge has accepted Jeff Dworek’s guilty plea. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for November.