OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — On his second attempt, an Omaha attorney successfully pleaded guilty to helping run a Ponzi scheme.

Michael Kratville failed to satisfy U.S. District Judge Joseph Bataillon on Monday because he failed to admit his guilt properly.

Kratville is one of three people indicted for operating a Ponzi scheme that swindled 100 people out of $4 million.

Kratville succeeded Thursday and was found guilty of wire fraud. In return, prosecutors will seek a prison no more than seven years in prison.

Authorities say Kratville, Jon Arrington and Michael Welke operated two companies, guaranteeing large returns and low risk to investors when they were actually money losers who hid their losses.

Arrington and Welke have each pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.