Marie E. Thornton, 63, pled guilty to embezzlement from an organization that receives federal funds, Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today. The conviction carries a maximum sentence of ten years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense. The Information also seeks forfeiture of all proceeds of the offense. Thornton is scheduled to be sentenced before the Honorable Kimba M. Wood on May 13, 2011.
Thornton, the former Vice President of Finance for Iona College, pled guilty today for embezzling more than $850,000 from the college. Thornton pled guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kevin N. Fox.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said: “This is a classic case of the fox guarding the hen house. Marie Thornton was entrusted with the financial well-being of Iona College, but instead, she abused her access to cook the books and line her own pockets.”
Iona College Statement on Guilty Plea of Marie Thornton
From 1999 up to May 2009, Thornton caused more than $850,000 belonging to Iona College to be diverted to her personal use by, among other things, submitting false vendor invoices for reimbursement to Iona College and submitting credit card bills for personal expenses to be paid by Iona College.
Bhararapraised the efforts and the assistance of the U.S. Department of Education, Office of the Inspector General. The case is being handled by the Office’s Public Corruption Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carrie H. Cohen is in charge of the prosecution.
Robert Cox of Talk of the Sound and Andrea Fuller of The Chronicle of Higher Education together broke the story of the “Sister Susie” embezzlement case last October. Fuller flagged the items in an IRS filing; Cox identified Marie Thornton as the culprit. The Journal News also played a pivotal role in developing the story further.
Iona College Fires Two Employees After Uncovering $800,000 Decade-Long Embezzlement Scheme
ELSEWHERE:
New York Post: Crooked nun kicks off Lent with guilty plea in $850K
Chronicle of Higher Education: Former Vice President of Iona College Pleads Guilty to Embezzling $850000
Journal News: Nun admits embezzling $850K from Iona College
Wall Street Journal: Nun admits embezzling $850000 from NY college
WCBS News: Sister Marie Thornton Admits Embezzling $850K From Iona College
MyFoxOrlando: Nun Admits Stealing $850000 from Catholic College
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poor sister ,Taking the whole rap
I guess the sister will take the whole rap! I am sure noone else aidede and abeded or guided her .
$850.000 That’s alot of money to go unnoticed for that period of time!!
That sure was quick!