MOUNDSVILLE - A judge sentenced Bonnie Chambers on Monday to one to 10 years in prison for embezzling more than $10,000 from a Marshall County school parent-teacher organization.
Chambers, 42, pleaded guilty last month to one count of embezzlement for her actions over a nine-month period. The West Virginia State Police began investigating Chambers after members of the parent-teacher organization at Hilltop Elementary School in Marshall County reported she had taken $17,332.84 while acting in her official capacity as treasurer of the organization. They presented documentation from their bank account showing $3,200 was stolen, and indicated 29 checks were not accounted for.
In their meeting with the West Virginia State Police, the other members of the PTO said they had confronted Chambers about the discrepancy. She reportedly told them she kept track of the money she owed the PTO.
In August, Chambers told State Police any check written as "Pay To The Order Of Bonnie Chambers" was money she had stolen from the PTO. She admitted to stealing cash, though she said she was unsure how much. She estimated she had stolen between $10,000 and $11,000 from the organization.
On Monday, Chambers was sentenced to serve one to 10 years in prison and ordered to pay restitution. A restitution hearing was partially held, with the current president of the PTO testifying. However, Marshall County Prosecutor Jeff Cramer said the restitution hearing will be completed at a later date when additional testimony can be heard.
