The former director of a Southeast Alaska cultural center pleaded guilty Wednesday to embezzling federal funds, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Gerald Bigelow stole about $17,300 from the Southeast Alaska Indian Cultural Center in Sitka from October 2010 to May 2011, according to a plea agreement. Bigelow, 46, now lives in Puyallup, Wash.

Federal prosecutors say Bigelow made more than 75 unauthorized withdrawals with the center's debit card and kept the money for his own use.

According to court records, Bigelow was sentenced to three years of probation and must repay the money.

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