An employee at a Michigan dental office has admitted to stealing more than $150,000 from a Grand Rapids practice.
Kathy Lynn Elenbaas pleaded guilty in Kent County Circuit Court to embezzling at least $1,000 per month from Dental Associates of West Michigan since she was hired more than seven years ago, according to an MLive.com story.
A plea deal was reached that will keep her out of prison if she pays back the money she took; the offense carries a maximum penalty 20 years in prison.
Steven Conlon, DDS, a dentist and co-owner of the practice, reported to police in March that more than $158,000 that Elenbaas was supposed to have deposited was missing from the practice's bank accounts.
Elenbaas told investigators that she "became bolder about it in the last few years," according to a police affidavit. She had financial difficulties and could not cover her bills, she said.
Judge Paul Sullivan told Elenbaas that if she violates any term of her probation, including failure to make payments in a timely manner, that she could go to jail.
