A former National Security Agency employee pleaded guilty this week to steering federal money for cybercrime defense to a company co-owned by his wife.

Wayne Schepens of Maryland admitted to awarding more than $750,000 in federal funds to a business he and his wife ran from their home. The firm participated in Cyber Defense Exercises at Navy, Marine, and Army schools, including the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

All branches of the U.S. military engage in cyberdefense activities and training.

It's illegal for government employees to spend taxpayer money on government contracts that benefit them financially. Schepens created the cyberdefense exercises and competitions, awarded the money to support them, and had access to the account into which the taxpayer funds were deposited. In April, he will face sentencing, which could include five years imprisonment, up to $250,000 in fines, and probation.

The former NSA employee's wife, Jennifer Schepens, answered the phone at the business, CDXperts Inc., and said only that she would like to comment on the plea but could not at this time.