Brenda Willingham faces up to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to 24 criminal charges stemming from how she and her husband, Dennis, obtained money from investors for their strawberry businesses in Oxnard.

The Willinghams have been in Ventura County Jail since being arrested Dec. 10 after a 21/2-year fraud investigation by the Ventura County District Attorney's office. "We're pleased with the plea agreement and that Mrs. Willingham has decided to take responsibility for her actions," Deputy District Attorney Eric Dobroth said Wednesday.

Willingham on Tuesday pleaded guilty to 22 felony counts of securities fraud, one count of grand theft and one count of disobeying a state order to stop soliciting investments. The initial complaint had listed 13 additional counts of securities fraud and 37 counts of selling unregistered securities.

Prosecutors have accused the Ventura couple of swindling 37 victims who invested $8 million and reported more than $5 million in losses. The money was supposed to finance Willingham Farms, Dennis' strawberry-growing operation, and provide working capital for Sunshine Fresh Produce, Brenda's strawberry brokering business.

A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for July 26.

Dobroth acknowledged that Brenda's willingness to plead early and spare the county the expense of a trial could work in her favor when it comes to a sentencing recommendation. He declined to say how many years in prison Brenda, 52, might have faced had she been convicted on all counts.

Brenda's attorney, Philip Capritto of Ventura, declined to comment.

Los Angeles attorney Brian Condon, whose clients are suing the couple, said the Willinghams should serve jail time and be required to pay restitution.

The Willinghams' 2001 bankruptcy petition, which listed more than $36 million in debts to more than 700 individuals and groups, was dismissed earlier this year.

More than three dozen lawsuits in three counties have been filed against them since 2000.

"I'm sure my clients will be very pleased and feel vindicated," Condon said of the plea agreement.

"They were among the first people to say something's wrong here."

Dennis' attorney, Joseph O'Neill of Oxnard, declined to speculate on whether Brenda's plea would affect his client's case. O'Neill took over Dennis' defense earlier this month after his public defender asked to be replaced.

Dennis, 45, faces the same charges as his wife, minus Brenda's charge of disobeying a Department of Corporations desist-and-refrain order issued in August.

A bail review for him is scheduled today, with a preliminary hearing set for July 14. Bail for the Willinghams is set at $250,000 each.