SC woman who embezzled $500,000 to be sentenced
Posted: 08.12.2012 at 2:17 PM
Updated: 08.12.2012 at 3:40 PM
Photo of Duncan taken from profile on LinkedIn.  / LinkedIn
Photo

COLUMBIA (AP) -- The state Hospitality Association's former accountant will be sentenced this week for stealing $500,000 from her employer.
 
Sentencing for Rachel Duncan is set for Tuesday, four months after she pleaded guilty to federal tax evasion and wire fraud charges.

The 42-year-old has been free on a $25,000 bond.
 
The State newspaper reports that her attorney detailed Duncan's history of gambling addiction and abusive relationships in court documents, in hopes of a reduced sentence.

Attorney Greg Harris says Duncan will agree to repay $367,500 to the association over her lifetime.  
 
While an audit found nearly $500,000 was missing, attorneys negotiated the reduced amount.
 
Her plea came 10 weeks after chief executive officer Tom Sponseller was reported missing.

He was found 10 days later in a storage room.

He had committed suicide.

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