SANFORD, Fla., Sept. 6 (UPI) -- A Florida woman who was already on probation for embezzling from a previous employer was given a new term of probation Tuesday for a new embezzlement.
Karen Elizabeth Craig, 41, of Lake Mary, who pleaded no contest, was sentenced to 10 years probation and ordered to repay $85,000 to Maurice Huertas, who owns a Lakewood store selling granite countertops, the Orlando (Fla.) Sentinel reported. In 2006, she received 15 years probation and an order of $260,000 in restitution after admitting she stole from the Steinway Piano Co. in Altamonte Springs.
Craig, who also goes by the name Karen Rothenberg, came into court with a check for $40,000, the Sentinel said.
Huertas told police he trusted Craig and gave her a second chance, making her responsible for payroll and accounting at his store. In 2008, he said, he discovered she had given herself and her husband unapproved raises and herself a large Christmas bonus and had taken cash advances on company credit cards.
Huertas also filed a civil suit. Craig countersued, charging Huertas reneged on a pledge to make her a partner after she lent him more than $400,000 and that he sexually harassed her.
Neither party would comment Tuesday, the Sentinel said. Craig now owns her own granite company.
