The former business manager for the Everett Events Center pleaded guilty Wednesday to five counts of first-degree theft, an admission that could put her in prison for a year or more.
Cathy Lynn Reece, 48, of Arlington, admitted that she skimmed large sums of money from the Events Center between August and October 2005. Snohomish County prosecutors were prepared to file many more theft charges if she didn’t plead guilty, deputy prosecutor John Juhl said.
In total, Juhl said Reece siphoned off $146,000 in public funds.
Juhl will recommend that she serve a year and a day in prison. Under state law, she could serve up to 14 months. She’s scheduled to be sentenced Sept. 19 by Snohomish County Superior Court Judge Thomas Wynne.
Reece declined to accept full responsibility. Her plea paperwork acknowledged there was considerable evidence against her and that the plea was made to take advantage of the prosecutor’s offer. She also acknowledged there was a substantial likelihood she would be found guilty if she went to trial.
Court charging papers accused her of diverting cash advanced to the promoters of a Celtic dance troupe and six other events. She also was accused of taking money from merchandise sales, Juhl said in documents.
The Events Center is publicly owned, and the Everett Public Facilities District manages its affairs. Reece worked for Global Spectrum, a company that under contract manages the center and similar venues across the U.S. and Canada.
Reece was the center’s business manager from November 2003 to October 2005. She took a medical leave after surgery and accountants uncovered “severe irregularities” in the books, Juhl said.
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