TodayCarlisle woman gets probation for theft from Redevelopment Authority
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Article RatingA woman accused of stealing rent payments that should have gone to the Cumberland County Redevelopment Authority has been sentenced to two years of probation.
Joyce Marie Smith, 43, of the 900 block of Factory Street in Carlisle, pleaded guilty in August to one third-degree felony count of theft by failure to make required disposition of funds and was sentenced Tuesday by Cumberland County Judge Edward Guido.
“I just want to say that I’m very sorry for what happened,” Smith said, telling Guido that she and her husband have been working together to make restitution. “I promise you I will never be here again.”
Prosecutor Jon Birbeck, county chief deputy district attorney, said Smith had already paid back $2,800 and that because of that, he was recommending a probationary sentence. Smith’s attorney, Herschel Lock, said that Smith has no criminal background, has taken responsibility for what happened and has, apart from that incident, an excellent work history.
“This is an aberration, I submit to you,” Lock said.
As a condition of her sentence, Guido also ordered Smith to pay at least $150 a month toward the remainder of the total restitution figure of $7,876.42
Carlisle police reported in February that the money from the Authority’s December rent collections from low-income clients was discovered to be missing in January. Investigation showed that instead of depositing the money as she was supposed to, Smith kept it for “her personal use,” police said.
Redevelopment officials said all clients were credited for the full amount of rent they paid, as the authority is bonded and insured for emergencies such as theft of funds. Smith was fired the day the money was discovered to be missing, they said.
