Rhonda L. Breard, 47, a former Kirkland investment advisor who had an office in Bellevue, pleaded guilty Tuesday, April 6 to Mail Fraud, in connection with a scheme to defraud dozens of clients out of millions of dollars. Breard entered her guilty plea in U.S. District Court in Seattle in front of U.S. Magistrate Judge James P. Donohue.

According to the information filed against Breard, she defrauded 37 individuals out of at least $9.4 million. She told the investors the money would be placed in a variety of financial and insurance products. Instead, Breard used the money for her own expenses, and mailed phony statements to these customers.

Breard faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine when sentenced on July 9, 2010.