Raul Jorge Miranda, 50, entered the plea in federal court in New Orleans. He faces up to 15 years in prison and heavy fines when he is sentenced in December.

After Hurricane Katrina slammed into the Louisiana and Mississippi coasts, flooding New Orleans and killing hundreds, Congress gave the corps billions of dollars to repair and upgrade levees.

In August 2006, Miranda was on a panel handling bids to rebuild a pivotal levee southwest of New Orleans on the west side of the Mississippi River, officials said.

Prosecutors allege he gave secret information to a sand and gravel subcontractor seeking a piece of the $16 million project. In exchange, Miranda sought kickbacks of 25 cents for every cubic yard of sand and gravel sold by the company, which has not been identified. Prosecutors have not said whether Miranda actually received any bribe money.

Miranda and his lawyer Leonard P. Fenn declined to comment, as did federal prosecutor Joan E. Marshall.

Miranda was a construction manager for Integrated Logistical Support Inc., a New Orleans civil engineering firm hired to help the corps manage some projects.

Prosecutors say they are investigating other possible crimes connected to post-Katrina levee work.