Former Las Vegas City Councilman Ricki Barlow pleaded guilty in a scheme to steal tens of thousands of dollars from his re-election campaign, the Justice Department announced Monday.

Barlow, who stepped down from his seat in late January, admitted to arranging a “kickback scheme” during his 2015 re-election campaign, hiring friends and associates to work as campaign vendors, submit inflated invoices and then give Barlow back about half of their campaign paychecks, often in the form of cash, according to the Justice Department. He admitted to steering $49,125 of his campaign cash for his personal use through the scheme, department officials said.

The former Las Vegas city councilman ultimately pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud before U.S. District Court Judge Andrew Gordon, and his sentencing is set for May 31.

Barlow first announced his decision to plead guilty while resigning from his city council seat, saying that he was “deeply ashamed” of his conduct.

“That shame is as dark and abiding for me as my gladness for my City Council service is bright and enduring,” Barlow said. “I accept full personal responsibility for my conduct violating the federal criminal law. I am resolved to face the painful consequences of that conduct in a way and with a spirit that will best compensate for my wrongdoing and will best help me to become a better man.”

Barlow’s attorney could not immediately be reached for further comment Monday.

The Justice Department said Barlow also acknowledged accepting $17,000 of campaign contributions in cash that were never reported to his campaign treasurer or sent to the campaign, causing his campaign to submit false campaign finance reports to the secretary of state.

“No one, including elected officials, is above the law,” said U.S. District Attorney Dayle Elieson. “The defendant violated his  oath of office and the public’s trust for his personal gain.”

The investigation first came to light when the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported in the fall of 2016 that the FBI raided Barlow’s home seeking records of Barlow’s business dealings with an informant, known as Randall Henley. A federal grand jury heard testimony in January from witnesses related to the investigation into campaign kickbacks, the Review-Journal reported.

A special election to replace Barlow will be held on March 27, with early voting scheduled for March 22 and March 23.