A former Decatur man who pleaded guilty to stealing more than $15 million from about 300 people in central Illinois through a Ponzi scheme is scheduled for sentencing Friday in federal court in Peoria.

William Huber of La Jolla, Calif., pleaded guilty Aug. 10 to mail fraud, money laundering and other charges. The 61-year-old faces up to 50 years in prison and a maximum fine of $1 million.

Huber wrote to a probation officer preparing a character report on him that he was afraid to admit he was living a lie and “may have been mentally unstable.” He also wrote that he wants to make amends.

But the (Decatur) Herald & Review reports that some former investors doubt that Huber is truly sorry or will ever repay them.