SC woman gets 2½ years for tourism group theft

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Story Created: Aug 14, 2012 at 4:15 AM EDT

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

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A woman who pleaded guilty to embezzling nearly $400,000 from the South Carolina Hospitality Association has been sentenced to 2 ½ years in prison.

A federal judge also ordered Rachel Duncan on Tuesday to pay back the $367,000 she stole from the group.

Duncan pleaded guilty earlier this year to tax evasion and wire fraud. Her attorney says Duncan stole to support a decades-long gambling addiction, and she apologized in court.

The investigation into the association's missing money came to light in February when its founder and executive director went missing.

Tom Sponseller was found 10 days later. He had committed suicide, leaving behind a three-page note describing Duncan's confession to stealing the money and how despondent he was over her betrayal.

Duncan didn't mention Sponseller during her apology.

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