Frank Ruiz, a real estate developer involved in a businesslending kickback scheme that led to the collapse of AEA FederalCredit Union, may only receive up to 12 months in prison for hisrole.

Ruiz previously pled guilty to several fraud counts for payingWilliam Liddle, AEA's business lending officer, more than $1million in bribes to approve $50 million in business loans.

Federal prosecutors in Phoenix, where Liddle's trial recentlywrapped up, recommended that Ruiz have a sentence of no more than12 months and three years of probation for his assistance intestifying against Liddle, according to local media reports.

Still, U.S. District Court Judge Susan Bolton has postponedsentencing until April 9 to consider new evidence that could resultin a 15-year sentence for Ruiz.

Bolton has said that she will need more time to go over theamount of financial damage that AEA suffered as a result of Ruiz'sactions.

On Feb. 10, Liddle was found guilty of 44 counts of federalcredit institution fraud, 14 counts of misapplication of financialinstitution fraud, six counts of transactional money laundering,three counts of wire fraud and one count of conspiracy.

Liddle's wife, Rhonda, was also found guilty of 30 counts offederal credit institution fraud, five counts of money launderingand one count of conspiracy.

The Liddles are scheduled to be sentenced May 21.

John Zimmerman, NCUA public affairs specialist, said the agencywill not comment on Ruiz's possible sentence.

AEA has been operating under NCUA conservatorship since December2010.