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Former South Carolina State University General Counsel and Chief of Staff Edwin Givens has pleaded guilty to his role in a kickback scheme involving homecoming entertainment.

Appearing in federal court in Charleston on Tuesday, Givens pleaded guilty to misprision of a felony. Prosecutors say he knew of the scheme, but failed to tell law enforcement.

Prosecutors also claim he received a $500 kickback, but he gave it to the S.C. Educational Foundation instead of pocketing it.

"This has been a long ordeal for me and my family. I regret being a part of some phone conversations entailing improper activities, but it is important to stress that I never profited in any way for these illegal activities. Not one single dime," Givens said in a statement released after Tuesday's plea hearing.

Givens’ sentence will be set within the next 60 to 90 days. Meanwhile, he remains out on $5,000 personal recognizance bond.

The maximum sentence he can receive is three years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Prosecutors are recommending six months of probation.

He is the sixth person to have pleaded guilty in the ongoing federal corruption case involving S.C. State.