NEWBERRY, S.C. (AP) -- A former Greenwood County clerk has been ordered to serve 18 months of house arrest after admitting she stole almost $23,000 from the magistrate's office.

The Index-Journal of Greenwood reports that Toni Cole pleaded guilty Monday at the Newberry County courthouse to embezzlement of public funds of $5,000 or more. A judge also ordered her to serve five years of probation.

Prosecutors say Cain stole the money for more than two years before she was arrested in 2006. She cried as she apologized to her family, friends and the people she worked with.

Two sheriff's investigators also asked for leniency for Cole, saying she fully cooperated with their investigation.

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