Ex-New Orleans cop pleads guilty in theft from nonprofit

A former New Orleans police detective has pleaded guilty to conspiring to steal funds from a nonprofit group that assists homeless families.

Federal prosecutors say 36-year-old Tiwana Alexander resigned from the department on the eve of her guilty plea Friday to a conspiracy charge.

Alexander faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

She was charged with conspiring with a former case manager who worked for the House of Ruth to steal money that she used to pay for her housing in 2007. Prosecutors said Alexander wasn't homeless or jobless at the time and knew she didn't qualify for the funds.

The former case manager and two other people already have pleaded guilty in the case.