FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Beverly Gallagher, for nearly a decade a powerful Broward County School Board member, pleaded guilty Wednesday to one count of bribery.

Gallagher wiped away tears as she told U.S. District Judge James I. Cohn that she was guilty.

Gallagher, 51, was arrested last September and charged with seven corruption counts. After lengthy negotiations conducted by her attorney, David Bogenschutz, a plea dealing involving one count of bribery was agreed to.

Gallagher will be sentenced on June 2. The judge can increase or lower the recommended sentence of 37 months in prison.

Gallagher emerged from the federal courthouse in Fort Lauderdale looking relieved. She had nothing to say to waiting reporters as she got into a car with her two daughters. It was a far cry from the rowdy media crush at her first court appearance.

"I think she is as remorseful and contrite as any human being I have ever represented," Bogenschutz said.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Kaplan described the plea deal as "fair" and said Gallagher’s guilty plea should send a warning signal to any public official who is tempted to break the law.