Having pled guilty to two charges of embezzlement, former Clarkston PTA officer Diane Weller has until 1:30 p.m., Monday, Aug. 16, 2010 to pay back $26,400.83.
‘Then we’ll see how you’re doing,? said the Hon. Lisa Gorcyca, Sixth Circuit Court judge, at Weller’s Sept. 14 sentencing. ‘My main concern is the schools get their money back.?
If the money is repaid and probation conditions met, felony embezzlement charges will be reduced to misdemeanors. Conditions include no alcohol, no contact with Sashabaw Middle School or Pine Knob Elementary PTAs, no working with other people’s money, no weapons or assaultive behavior, and no financial indulgences, even for bottled water, Gorcyca said.
‘If you go out for a steak dinner, that’s a violation,? she said. ‘I guarantee you will be tried if you violate probation.?
PTA officers Kim Trombley, Pine Knob, Andrea Schroeder, Sashabaw Middle School, described to the court the damage Weller did do to school volunteer efforts and the community.
‘The anger, disillusionment, and disbelief over Diane Weller’s actions over the past eight years continue to have a negative impact on our PTAs, our schools, and the community at large,? Schroeder said. ‘If I had my way, Diane Weller would spend time in a jail cell equal to the amount of hours that we spent untangling her crimes.?
As a Title I school, Weller took advantage of the community’s most vulnerable families, Trombley said.
‘I never imagined as a PTA volunteer we would have to deal with something so negative as this court case,? she said. ‘The feeling of betrayal runs deep.?
Weller, 44, had little to say when given the opportunity at the sentencing.
‘I’m sorry this happened,? she said.
‘That doesn’t cut it with this court,? Gorcyca responded. ‘This happened because of you.?
Weller and her attorney Myron F. Poe had no comment after the hearing. Jeanne Santala-Rose, Weller’s friend who attended the sentencing, shared her own opinions on the case.
‘The bottom line is she needs to be forgiven,? Santala-Rose said. ‘I don’t necessarily defend her. I believe she did something wrong. Should she pay for it? Yes. But I don’t think she should be strung up by her thumbs.?
Those hurt the most are Weller’s children, she said.
‘She should have been thinking of her children in the first place, but she is a good woman,? Santala-Rose said. ‘Her three children are impacted every day. It makes me very sad.?
After the hearing, Trombley and Schroeder said they were tired of the case and ready to concentrate on the new school year.
‘I wish there could have been a little more accountability,? Trombley said. ‘It’s a shame she doesn’t hold herself responsible.?
Weller was arraigned May 13 in 52/2 District Court on two felony counts of embezzlement of more than $1,000 but less than $20,000.
She is scheduled to pay $500 per month until the balance is paid.