Collins sentenced for embezzlement
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The defendant, Rebecca Collins, was granted a three-year judicial diversion on the charge of theft over $10,000. The diversion will work like probation in that Collins must not get in any trouble for three years. If she commits another offense, she will be required to serve the three years since she has technically entered a guilty plea to the charge. If she successfully completes the term, she can then move to have her criminal record erased.
According to a report from the Tennessee Comptroller of Treasury, Collins allegedly stole $17,499 from the school between July 1, 2002 and Dec. 31, 2002. She resigned her position last year in the wake of an audit.
State auditors said they found money missing from fundraising events such as the Santa Shop fundraiser. The lion’s share of the missing money ($13,970) was from collections of vending machine money. Auditors said Collins hid her thefts by recording some collections and disbursements incorrectly in the school’s accounting records. The auditors suggested, and school officials agreed, changes need to be made to the way money is handled so the crime is not repeated.
According to District Attorney General Dale Potter, Collins has repaid the money she stole as restitution was part of her sentence.
As for lack of jail time, Potter pointed out it was Collins’ right to ask for a judicial diversion since she has no prior criminal record. The amount of theft would have made it a Class C felony, punishable by three to six years in prison, had she lost a jury trial.