
BENNINGTON, Vt. (AP) - A Vermont woman who pleaded guilty to taking thousands of dollars in donations from a nonprofit group has been sentenced to nine months in prison.
Forty-five-year-old Deborah Stanlewicz of Pownal pleaded guilty to embezzlement in February.
The Bennington Banner reports she worked for the Project Against Violent Encounters, which advocates for and supports domestic and sexual abuse victims.
Police said Stanlewicz, who found shelter for victims and contacted donors to cover the cost, invented the names of victims and their circumstances. They said she secured $22,000 that she used to pay her bills.
Her lawyer said she is a good person who made a series of bad mistakes.
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