Friday, September 6, 2013

Fired Texas Social Services Worker Gets 10 Years


(Credit: ThinkStockImages)
GALVESTON, Texas (AP) – A fired social services worker in Southeast Texas who stole from people she was assigned to help must serve 10 years in prison.

A judge in Galveston on Wednesday sentenced 47-year-old Sylvia Ann Villarreal of Hitchcock. Villarreal on June 17 pleaded guilty to felony theft.

The Galveston County Daily News reports Villarreal must also pay $50,000 in restitution.

Villarreal worked for Galveston County’s guardianship program for nearly 15 years before she was fired in 2010. She was later indicted on a charge of theft by public servant involving funds since 2007.

The investigation began after a judge who appointed Villarreal to assist wards of the county noticed irregularities with their checking accounts. Records show many of the checks were made out to cash.

Authorities since then have implemented audits.

Full Article and Source:
Fired Texas Social Services Worker Gets 10 Years

See Also:
Social services worker in Texas stole from clients

4 comments:

Denny said...

10 years us about right.

Sue said...

I like the fact that the JUDGE noticed irregularities - how refreshing that there are some honest eyes on the guardians and conservators.

I hope this prison restitution sentence sends a strong message because it's so easy for a fiduciary to be a thief.

Warning to all fiduciaries: ask yourselves is it worth it? And remember Jeffrey Schend in Wisconsin who took his own life recently rather than spend years in a prison cell.

Was it worth it Jeff?

Thelma said...

City has to be more careful.

Roger said...

I don't have much respect for social workers in general. I know there are good ones, but so many are on power trips....