The Daily Freeman is reporting a Greene County woman Mon., Nov. 28, pleaded guilty to charges that she stole approximately $3.1 million from Cargill Inc. Diane Backis, 50, of Athens, worked as an accounting manager at the company's Port of Albany facility and was responsible for creating customer contracts, generating and mailing invoices, and receiving and processing customer payments. Cargill receives, stores and sells grain products. Backis pled guilty in federal court to mail fraud and filing a false income tax return, admitting that she stole customer payments sent to the company totaling approximately $3.12 million, and deposited the money into her personal bank accounts. She also admitted to sending fraudulent invoices to Cargill customers and directing them to send payment directly to her. As part of her plea agreement, Backis agreed to pay Cargill at least $3.5 million in restitution, and to forfeit her Athens home, an investment brokerage account and her company pension benefits. She faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Backis is scheduled to be sentenced on March 28. Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.