LARGO, Fla. (970 WFLA) - The former president of the Down Syndrome Network of Tampa Bay pleaded guilty to ripping off the charity.
Shirley Lawyer entered the plea in Pinellas County Circuit Court after she was accused of stealing $87,000 from a charity that's was supposed to be helping kids with disabilities.
Judge Frank Quesada told Ms. Lawyer in court that she would have to serve time behind bars as part of her plea deal, according to News Channel 8.
“I’m going to impose a one-year jail sentence,” Judge Quesada said.
Lawyer will also get 15 months probation, and is required to repay the stolen money to the Raise Down Syndrome Foundation. The judge is requiring her to find a job where she cay pay at least $450 a month.
Lawyer spent money donated to help children with Down Syndrome to help with her mortgage, her business, groceries, family trips and outings, according to investigators.
Barbara Brown, president of the Raising Down Syndrome Foundation, wanted to see Lawyer behind bars.
“She has taken from people in the community who believed in her, and now I think she’s taking from the community again by dragging this out through eleven pre-trial hearings and two years of the courts time the state attorney’s time and defense counsel.”
Lawyer's jail sentence won't start for 18-months, unless she stops making payments. Then, the judge said she'll be incarcerated.
photo credit: WFLA-TV