South Carolina Woman To Plead Guilty To Embezzling Nearly $500K From Hospital Association

Rachel Duncan, 41, of Columbia, South Carolina, has a plea agreement to plead guilty to felony counts of wire fraud and tax evasion in connection with her alleged embezzlement of nearly $500,000 from the South Carolina Hospitality Association where she had been employed as accounting director.  According to authorities, over a period of nearly six years, from 2006 through early 2012, Duncan siphoned $481,000 from the non-profit association by writing checks to herself.  Tom Sponseller, the group's longtime director, committed suicide this past February leaving a note that suggested he was despondent over Duncan's misdeeds on his watch.  Duncan reportedly stole the money to support her online gambling habit.  The plea agreement includes full restitution.

Read the story here, here and here.

Update (4/26/12): Duncan has formally pleaded guilty and appologized for her actions which she blamed on a gambling addiction.  Read an update to the story here and here.

Update (8/14/12): Duncan has been sentenced to 30 months in prison and ordered to pay $367,000 in restitution.