Probation ends on Conn. embezzlement conviction

MONTVILLE, Conn. (AP) — Probation has ended for a former Montville town employee who failed to repay town expenses and was convicted of embezzling $51,000.

The Bulletin reports an audit found that Linda Rivera of Willimantic embezzled $51,536 between 2003 and 2005. She repaid the full amount before she was convicted in May 2007.

She was sentenced to three years, suspended after three months in prison and five years' probation. One condition of her probation was that she repay $55,760 in town costs such as her salary while on leave, an audit and legal fees.

She told a New London Superior Court judge on Monday that she is very sorry.

Prosecutors say the 57-year-old Rivera, who was deputy administrator of Montville's Water Pollution Control Authority, does not have the money to repay the town.

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Information from: Norwich Bulletin