Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Restitution, Probation Ordered In Embezzlement Case

   A Lawrenceburg woman has been placed on probation and ordered to pay restitution in connection with alleged embezzlement of funds from a local business.

   The case involving charges brought against former MGH Wholesale Grocers employee Bretha Kay Shay, 52, of 10 Vera Lane, Leoma, was resolved through Maury County Circuit Court last week.

   Members of a Lawrence County Grand Jury returned a capias against Shay on April 26, charging her with the crime of theft over $10,000. Shortly after the capias was returned, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Spokesperson Jennifer Johnson indicated that business owners had alleged that Shay had embezzled $14,000 over a period of some months. Since the time of her arrest, Shay had remained free under a bond of $10,000

   The case was brought before Circuit Court Judge Stella Hargrove for resolution on August 6. Lawrence Ray Whitley, District Attorney General of the Eighteenth Judicial District in Sumner County, served as Special Prosecutor for the case. Shay was represented by Franklin attorney John Schwab.

   Under the plea bargain agreement, Shay is required to pay $14,000 in restitution to IPCO, Inc., the holding company/owner, in addition to court costs. Whitley indicated that Shay has already made full restitution.

   The Memorandum of Understanding For Suspension of Prosecution filed through the court system indicates that “The defendant will be placed on unsupervised probation,” for a period of two years.

   Whitley said the document specifies that, so long as Shay lives up to the terms and conditions of the agreement, her record may be expunged at the end of the probationary period.

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