A Pecatonica couple received a sentence of 6 months in jail and pay restitution of over $155,000 after they stole money from the Fire Protection District.
49-year old Brenda Samuelson along with her husband, 57-year old Donald, also received the maximum sentence of 4 years probation.
The couple plead guilty last month to theft of government property along with conspiracy to commit a theft and 5 counts of forgery.
Brenda Samuelson was a former book keeper and emergency medical technician for the Pecatonica Fire Protection District. She began issuing fraudulent checks to herself and husband in May of 2006. She was fired in December of 2010. Authorities say a 2010 audit indicated that the money was missing.
The Samuelsons also reached an agreement involving a civil lawsuit with the fire protection district. Restitution totals $206,000.
