A former LinkedIn manager pleaded guilty on Dec. 18 to charges that involved taking kickbacks from independent contractors, the US Department of Justice reported.

The former manager, Kent Laird of Bothell, Washington, submitted false invoices from two independent contractors to LinkedIn for which the firm paid $689,210, according to the department. Laird received $184,050 in kickbacks.

Laird had served at LinkedIn as head of content, video and studios for LinkedIn Media Productions, according to the press release.

Among the allegations in the case: Laird recommended in June and October 2018 the company hire two independent contractors to assist him with producing podcasts despite knowing neither person had professional experience as a podcast producer, according to the department. Over an 18-month period, Laird approved more than 129 false invoices from the contractors. The department said the invoices were approved despite little to no podcast writing and producing work.

A grand jury indicted Laird on Feb. 21 of this year on two counts of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and 18 counts of mail fraud. However, Laird pleaded guilty to the two conspiracy counts as part of a plea agreement, according to the department. If Laird complies with the agreement, the remaining counts will be dismissed at sentencing.

SIA had reached out to Larid’s attorney for comment as well as LinkedIn.

Sentencing has been set for March 7, 2024.

United States of America v. Kent Laird, US District Court for the Northern District of California; 3:23-cr-00063-JSC.