Woman Convicted for Embezzling Over $100,000 from Non-Profit, Sentenced to Deferred Adjudication

Background of the Case

A woman was recently sentenced after embezzling more than $100,000 from a non-profit organization. The sentencing, delivered on February 25, resulted in a 10-year deferred adjudication, which allows her to avoid immediate prison time under specific conditions.

Details of the Sentence

The presiding judge, District Judge Kerry Russell, approved the sentence following a thorough pre-sentence investigation. To avoid incarceration, the woman must meet several requirements including full repayment of the stolen amount, which totals $117,010.65, complete 240 hours of community service, and serve 50 days in a county jail.

Additionally, she is required to make monthly payments of at least $1,300 to the non-profit, Hand Up Network, over the next ten years until restitution is complete.

Discovery of the Theft

The non-profit’s CEO became suspicious when the organization’s debit card was used at a local casino, an unauthorized transaction that prompted an investigation. Further examination revealed 283 unauthorized purchases made through Apple.com dating back to March 2024, totaling nearly $97,000 spent on virtual chips for an online casino game. These transactions were carried out from two separate devices, indicating a pattern of fraudulent activity.

Response and Investigation

During the investigation, the woman, who was serving as the non-profit’s accountant, denied the accusations. She claimed the debit card usage was accidental and argued that her Apple account had been hacked. She also suggested that others might have had access to her phone and iPad, which she said she had lost multiple times around the organization’s premises.

Despite her defenses, the organization’s leadership believed she intentionally misappropriated the funds. Following her dismissal from the non-profit, legal proceedings led to her conviction and sentencing.