Former Pennsylvania Paralegal Who Faked Kidnapping, Sentenced For Embezzling More Than $1 Million

Bonnie Sweeten, 40, of Feasterville, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced to 8 years in prison for embezzling more than $1 million, including  $640,000 from an unnamed Bucks County-based law firm where she had been employed.  Sweeten faked her own kidnapping in 2009, ultimately turning up in Disney World with her daughter.  Sweeten also allegedly claimed she had a law degree.  Sweeten was originally charged in May 2010 with wire fraud, mail fraud, bank fraud, aggravated identity theft, misuse of a passport, lying to federal official and money laundering.  The embezzlement reportedly occurred over a period of at least 4 years, from 2005 and 2009.  Sweeten reportedly spent the ill-gotten gains on clothing, jewelry, tanning salons, gym usage, electronics and mortgage payments. 

Read the story here, here, here and here.