A former Waipahu High School employee pleaded guilty in state court this morning to stealing nearly $500,000 from the school over six years starting in 2005.

Warren Harada, 61, of Manoa, pleaded guilty to first-degree theft and four counts of money laundering.

As part of his plea deal with the state, if he pays back the money he stole by the time of his sentencing on May 30, he will go to jail for 18 months. If he does not pay the $499,769 restitution in full by that date, he will get sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Harada was the school’s business manager from August 1993 to December 2010.