MONROE - A Brodhead woman who pleaded guilty Nov. 30 to a Class H felony of theft of more than $5,000 in a business setting as part of a plea deal was sentenced to 60 days in county jail and two years of probation Thursday.
Brenda Lee Miller, 50, was charged with stealing more than $18,000 from The Arc of Green County, a branch of the national nonprofit organization that advocates for individuals with developmental disabilities.
Green County Judge James Beer delivered the sentence after hearing from members of the group and others who appeared in court to stand with Miller. Letters were also submitted on her behalf, which Beer read to consider in his sentencing.
Nikolaus Faessler, president of The Arc of Green County, stood before the court to explain the harm Miller did to the organization when, according to the criminal complaint, she withdrew $14,100 from the group's bank account when serving as its secretary in August and September 2016. Faessler said the total was misrepresented in the initial report and was actually $18,500 in stolen funds.
"She left this nonprofit in a pretty big problem area," Faessler said. "This devastated us."
Faessler explained that after finding out there was just over $34 in the account meant to hold more than $10,000, members had to pull together to keep the group going. Peter Condon also spoke of the board's personal funds put to use to ensure the nonprofit continued to operate.
"The real victims were not the board, or those who had to dig into their pocketbooks to pay bills," Condon said. "The real victims were the residents of Green County with disabilities."
He said he believed justice was Miller's admission of guilt, and he wanted to see the organization regain the funds lost because of her actions. Defense Attorney Jane Bucher noted Miller withdrew from a retirement fund she had built up over nearly 20 years with Monroe High School to repay most of the costs. Miller currently needs to repay $4,500 more within the two years of her probation as part of her sentencing.
Bucher requested that Miller serve three years of probation and perform community service for her crime in lieu of the recommended 60 days in jail.
Green County District Attorney Craig Nolen said he felt the recommendation was lenient given the "heinous nature" behind Miller's actions.
"She was given a great responsibility, and she abused the trust of an organization which helps children and people with developmental disabilities," Nolen said, adding that a lack of jail time would not serve as a deterrent to the public.
Bucher said the loss of Miller's career and public embarrassment was adequate punishment, proposing the community service could do more for the community than acting as a burden on the county while in jail.
Nolen said Miller "was fundamentally duped by someone in Nigeria" in noting that she was not trustworthy with money.
People spoke on behalf of Miller's character, such as her sister-in-law Jennifer Hanson of Sun Prairie and Rev. Lawrence Glenn of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Monroe, who said he believes Miller when she expressed a desire to atone for her actions. Hanson said Miller was "a good mom" to two daughters and was "kind and compassionate" despite making a bad decision.
Bucher said Miller was divorced in 2010 and that her mother died in 2014 after a long illness. Miller found out she had a serious medical condition in 2016. When she made a connection online and began a long-distance relationship, her depression blinded her to the fact that she was being taken advantage of by someone who claimed to be stranded in Nigeria, which is what led to the illicit withdrawals from The Arc of Green County account.
Monroe resident Marylynn Strait said she has known Miller for more than 30 years and "always knew her to be upstanding." Miller herself addressed the court, first apologizing to Faessler, Condon and all other members of the nonprofit present during the hearing. She also read a statement to Beer in which she acknowledged her guilt and said there were no excuses for what she had done.
Miller will begin her jail time on Monday evening. Beer granted work release privileges if Miller is employed, childcare release time and that Miller be allowed to leave jail for church each week.
Brenda Lee Miller, 50, was charged with stealing more than $18,000 from The Arc of Green County, a branch of the national nonprofit organization that advocates for individuals with developmental disabilities.
Green County Judge James Beer delivered the sentence after hearing from members of the group and others who appeared in court to stand with Miller. Letters were also submitted on her behalf, which Beer read to consider in his sentencing.
Nikolaus Faessler, president of The Arc of Green County, stood before the court to explain the harm Miller did to the organization when, according to the criminal complaint, she withdrew $14,100 from the group's bank account when serving as its secretary in August and September 2016. Faessler said the total was misrepresented in the initial report and was actually $18,500 in stolen funds.
"She left this nonprofit in a pretty big problem area," Faessler said. "This devastated us."
Faessler explained that after finding out there was just over $34 in the account meant to hold more than $10,000, members had to pull together to keep the group going. Peter Condon also spoke of the board's personal funds put to use to ensure the nonprofit continued to operate.
"The real victims were not the board, or those who had to dig into their pocketbooks to pay bills," Condon said. "The real victims were the residents of Green County with disabilities."
He said he believed justice was Miller's admission of guilt, and he wanted to see the organization regain the funds lost because of her actions. Defense Attorney Jane Bucher noted Miller withdrew from a retirement fund she had built up over nearly 20 years with Monroe High School to repay most of the costs. Miller currently needs to repay $4,500 more within the two years of her probation as part of her sentencing.
Bucher requested that Miller serve three years of probation and perform community service for her crime in lieu of the recommended 60 days in jail.
Green County District Attorney Craig Nolen said he felt the recommendation was lenient given the "heinous nature" behind Miller's actions.
"She was given a great responsibility, and she abused the trust of an organization which helps children and people with developmental disabilities," Nolen said, adding that a lack of jail time would not serve as a deterrent to the public.
Bucher said the loss of Miller's career and public embarrassment was adequate punishment, proposing the community service could do more for the community than acting as a burden on the county while in jail.
Nolen said Miller "was fundamentally duped by someone in Nigeria" in noting that she was not trustworthy with money.
People spoke on behalf of Miller's character, such as her sister-in-law Jennifer Hanson of Sun Prairie and Rev. Lawrence Glenn of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Monroe, who said he believes Miller when she expressed a desire to atone for her actions. Hanson said Miller was "a good mom" to two daughters and was "kind and compassionate" despite making a bad decision.
Bucher said Miller was divorced in 2010 and that her mother died in 2014 after a long illness. Miller found out she had a serious medical condition in 2016. When she made a connection online and began a long-distance relationship, her depression blinded her to the fact that she was being taken advantage of by someone who claimed to be stranded in Nigeria, which is what led to the illicit withdrawals from The Arc of Green County account.
Monroe resident Marylynn Strait said she has known Miller for more than 30 years and "always knew her to be upstanding." Miller herself addressed the court, first apologizing to Faessler, Condon and all other members of the nonprofit present during the hearing. She also read a statement to Beer in which she acknowledged her guilt and said there were no excuses for what she had done.
Miller will begin her jail time on Monday evening. Beer granted work release privileges if Miller is employed, childcare release time and that Miller be allowed to leave jail for church each week.