PROVIDENCE — A former fire-safety chief at the Rhode Island School of Design pleaded guilty yesterday to charges that he stole about $1 million from the college through a fraudulent billing scheme.

Patrick “Berney” Clyne, 65, of Providence, appeared before Chief U.S. District Judge Mary M. Lisi and admitted that he engaged in mail fraud and filed a false tax return in failing to report about $180,000 that he collected through his crimes in 2003.

The government said that RISD sent the checks to Ankh Electric at 88 Manton Ave., in Providence, and later to a post office box. No work was completed and Clyne never told RISD officials that Ankh Electric was his firm.

From 1997 to 2005, Clyne was RISD’s manger of fire safety. He was responsible for maintaining fire-safety equipment, alarm systems and fire extinguishers. He also had the authority to request and approve fire-safety improvements.

As part of the plea agreement, Clyne agreed to forfeit a house and property that he bought with the stolen proceeds in Ballinamore, a fishing community in Ireland. In return for the guilty plea, Tom Connell, spokesman for U.S. Attorney Robert Clark Corrente, said that prosecutors will move to have criminal charges dropped against Clyne’s wife, Ibtisama Bradley.

The police say Bradley participated in the scheme, and had been living with Clyne in Ireland. They both surrendered in May to authorities at Logan International Airport in Boston. They were arrested and brought to Rhode Island where they were charged with 11 counts of mail fraud and conspiracy to commit mail fraud.

Clyne, who was born in Ireland, has lived in the United States for 42 years.

During a 45-minute hearing yesterday, Clyne, who was dressed in a dark suit, quietly answered questions posed to him by the judge. He understood the charges against him and said that he willingly decided to admit guilt.

Andrew J. Reich, an assistant U.S. Attorney, said had the case gone to trial, the government would have proven that Clyne set up a phony company, Ankh Electric Ltd., and billed RISD for about $1 million in fire safety work that was never performed. Instead, Clyne cashed the checks and used the money to buy the property in Ireland and for other expenses.

A RISD spokeswoman has said in a past statement that school officials discovered the alleged scheme in 2005, contacted the authorities and fired Clyne. Reich said Clyne and Bradley fled Rhode Island last August as his office and a prior defense lawyer were close to negotiating a plea agreement on criminal charges.

Clyne’s lawyer, Scott Lopez, disputed the government’s argument. He said that Clyne and Bradley returned to Ireland to attend a funeral and stayed because Clyne was experiencing serious medical problems.

Lopez said that the couple decided to surrender when they learned from a published report that they were wanted in Rhode Island.

Lisi scheduled a sentencing date of Nov. 2 for Clyne. He faces up to 23 years in prison and fines totaling $500,000. People charged in similar fraudulent schemes usually get sentences of three to four years.

Until sentencing, Clyne remains on home confinement with an electronic monitoring bracelet on his ankle. After yesterday’s hearing, Clyne walked out of the courtroom, donned a pair of dark sunglasses and brushed past a knot of waiting reporters.

Both he and Lopez, his lawyer, declined comment.

bmalinow@projo.com