MONTEREY, Calif. -- Former Monterey County Registrar of Voters Tony Anchundo has pleaded no contest to 43 counts of stealing from taxpayers.

For legal purposes, the no contest plea is the same as a guilty plea.

The 43 counts include embezzlement, forgery and grand theft all related to Anchundo racking up tens of thousands of dollars in personal charges on a county credit card.

In the case, Anchundo is expected to be sentenced to probation in lieu of a suspended four-year prison sentence.

Anchundo may not be looking at prison time, but he could do a year in the county jail, officials said.

It was the thought of probation that pushed Anchundo to finally admit in court that he embezzled more than $80,000.

Anchundo is scheduled to be sentenced in March, and the judge Wednesday indicated he will give Anchundo felony probation.

Anchundo's attorney said Anchundo is prepared to accept that.

Wednesday's plea was not negotiated by the prosecutor, and he reserved his right to argue for prison time at Anchundo's sentencing.

Should a prison sentence be handed down, Anchundo has a right to withdraw his plea.

Officials said Anchundo will likely get felony probation.

The amount of money Anchundo has to pay back has yet to be determined.

His attorney said the amount will be around $84,000. Anchundo has so far returned more than $50,000.