A 50-year-old Cahokia man pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiracy to defraud the city of East St. Louis' Demolition Program and to money laundering, according U.S. Attorney Stephen R. Wigginton.

Stephen L. Carraway owned and operated Steve's Hauling Inc. in East St. Louis, which provided demolition services to the city.

As part of the plea, Carraway admitted in 2010 he was told to make a cash payment in the form of a kickback to a dity of East St. Louis official in order to receive an emergency demolition contract from the city.

According to prosecutors, Carraway further admitted he was told how much to bid in order to be awarded the contract. He also admitted he submitted a falsified certificate of insurance in the bid proposal when he did not have an existing liability insurance policy in effect.

Carraway faces up to 15 years in prison. He is scheduled to be sentenced March 20.