A former transportation director for Roanoke City Schools pleaded guilty to mail fraud in federal court this morning in connection with fabricating bids for construction contracts.

James Dean Tyree, 49, admitted that he "cut some corners" and was under stress managing the bidding for the projects. They were supposed to be put out for public bidding.

After fabricating the bids, Tyree gave the jobs to Jim Oyler Construction, a company that was already working on projects for the city, according to testimony from Ron Buckley, a special agent from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The company was already doing a lot of work for the city schools, was very reliable and got jobs done, according to Buckley.

The mail fraud charge stems from a check Tyree mailed to the construction company for one of the jobs for which he manufactured bids. The agreed amount of loss in the case is $22,148, and Tyree has agreed to pay that amount in restitution to Roanoke City Schools as part of his plea agreement.

There is no evidence that Tyree benefited personally from the fraud. He faces up to five years in prison and $250,000 in fines on the felony conviction. Tyree has retired from the school system.