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Last updated on Thursday, March 24, 2016
(BLOOMINGTON) - A former Bloomington city worker was sentenced to two years in prison and must repay the $430,000 she admitted stealing from the city.
Federal investigators say for 13 years, Judith Seigle created "an elaborate theft scheme" and used the money for personal expenses, including restaurants, clothing, a vehicle and credit cards.
Seigle worked as the office manager for Bloomington's Parks and Recreation Department and did the books for the non-profit foundation that supports the parks and community programs.
The U.S. Attorney's office says that from 2001 to October 2014, she "diverted, embezzled, and misappropriated" about $30,000 from the city and about $400,000 from the foundation.
Prosecutors say she made personal purchases with foundation credit cards issued to her or to former or deceased Bloomington employees. They also say she diverted checks intended for the parks department to the foundation's bank account, and then used the money for herself.
Investigators determined Seigle used "Microsoft Excel to create false bank statement entries, which she then printed, cut, and taped on top of actual bank statements for the foundation's account. She then scanned or copied these altered statements and provided them to the foundation's executive director and board of directors." Prosecutors say she provided these statements on a monthly basis for several years.
Seigle left her job with the city in October 2014 after being questioned about the missing money. When she is released from prison, she must serve three years of supervised release.
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