Three years in prison for embezzler
Published 11:06 pm Friday, March 27, 2009
SEATTLE — A former city of Arlington finance worker was sentenced to three years in prison Friday for embezzling at least $1.3 million in public money.
Terry L. Davis, 57, of Arlington, worked for the city for 32 years. At one time she was the assistant financial director.
Davis admitted writing herself more than 100 checks to steal city funds between 2000 and her retirement in May 2008.
She tearfully apologized at a sentencing hearing Friday before U.S. District Judge Ricardo Martinez in Seattle.
In a letter to the judge, Davis suggested her misconduct was linked to personal problems, including binge shopping and an addiction to casino gambling.
“I am very ashamed of this and guilt fills my heart every day,” she wrote. “Stealing from my employer is a terrible thing. What makes it worse is that this was public money from hardworking people, many who probably have much less than I.”
Going to prison is an appropriate punishment, Davis added. “The city of Arlington expects it, society expects it, and I expect it.”
The fraud was discovered in July when a city accountant found a suspicious check made out to the woman. Investigators discovered that Davis spent years issuing herself city checks. The payments were made after Davis forged signatures and made unauthorized use of a city ink stamp, according to court papers.
Davis deposited the checks in her own bank account, intercepted them after they came back from the bank, and then submitted bogus checks payable to others, as well as other paperwork, according to prosecutors. The fake paper trail hid her misdeeds.
Davis pleaded guilty to mail fraud and filing a false tax return. She faced a maximum of 20 years in prison, but the standard punishment under sentencing guidelines is about three years.
“A sentence of at least this length is necessary to reflect the seriousness of Ms. Davis’ crimes, provide just punishment for the offense and afford adequate deterrence to potential future criminals,” assistant U.S. attorney Darwin Roberts said in court papers. “An average citizen might be surprised to hear that a government employee could steal over $1 million and have a chance to serve less than three years.”
As part of a deal reached with federal prosecutors Davis, already agreed to forfeit two properties valued at about $730,000, two cars and her interest in a time-share condominium in Whistler, B.C. She also agreed to repay the money she took from the city.
Martinez ordered that she continue to participate in Gamblers Anonymous.
Scott North: 425-339-3431, north@heraldnet.com.
