JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- A former St. Johns County commissioner who denied for the past year that he accepted bribes while in office pleaded guilty Friday to one of two counts of bribery.

Thomas Manuel was chairman of the commission in June 2008 when he was indicted by federal prosecutors. He was suspended by Gov. Charlie Crist the next day.

According to the indictment, Manuel "knowingly and corruptly solicited, demanded, accepted and agreed to accept" $10,000 and $50,000 bribes for his influence in business pending before the St. Johns County Commission.

The bribes allegedly occurred between April 10 and June 5, 2008, and were investigated by the FBI's Public Corruption Unit.

In federal court Friday, Manuel pleaded guilty to accepting a $10,000 bribe from the Falcone Group, a developer. Prosecutors said Manuel pressured them to contribute to charitable causes or his political action committee or it would be locked out of future business in the county.

Prosecutors said that Falcone notified the FBI and future conversations between company representatives and Manuel were recorded, including the $50,000 payment made in June 2008.

If the plea agreement is accepted, the second count would be dropped. Prosecutors said Manuel has also returned all but $3,400 of the bribe payment, and that repayment of the money is one of the terms of the plea deal.

Manuel could face up to 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and up to three years of probation on the bribery charge. A sentencing date has not been set.

Neither Manuel nor his attorney would comment when leaving the courthouse.

Manuel never made a public comment after his indictment, but told reporter Jennifer Bauer in June 2008 that he believed the investigation was politically motivated.

Manuel, 64, of Ponte Vedra Beach, is retired after careers in the U.S. Navy, banking and running a travel agency.