SC woman who embezzled $500,000 to be sentenced

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Story Created: Aug 12, 2012 at 2:15 PM EDT

Story Updated: Aug 13, 2012 at 6:15 PM EDT

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The state Hospitality Association's former accountant will be sentenced this week for stealing $500,000 from her employer.

Sentencing for Rachel Duncan is set for Tuesday, four months after she pleaded guilty to federal tax evasion and wire fraud charges. The 42-year-old has been free on a $25,000 bond.

The State newspaper reports that her attorney detailed Duncan's history of gambling addiction and abusive relationships in court documents, in hopes of a reduced sentence. Attorney Greg Harris says Duncan will agree to repay $367,500 to the association over her lifetime.

While an audit found nearly $500,000 was missing, attorneys negotiated the reduced amount.

Her plea came 10 weeks after chief executive officer Tom Sponseller was reported missing. He was found 10 days later in a storage room. He had committed suicide.

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Information from: The State, http://www.thestate.com

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