Molalla woman pleads guilty in school group embezzlement case in Oregon

A Molalla woman was sentenced to 180 days in jail after pleading guilty on Friday morning to stealing about $10,000 from the Mulino Parent Group, which funds activities and purchases materials for Mulino Elementary School students.




Laurie Brinkman, 36, pleaded guilty to five counts of first degree theft before Judge Ronald Thom in Clackamas County Circuit Court. She had been arrested last October, but was out on release until sheriff’s deputies took her into custody Friday following her sentencing.



The charges stemmed from transactions from the MPG bank account that took place between March 1, 2009 and Jan. 5, 2010. As treasurer of the group, Brinkman had embezzled money from the group bank account, keeping a set of fake books, Deputy District Attorney Sarah Dumont said. Brinkman also stole money outright from a fall fundraiser and other school events.



Brinkman admitted to having a shopping problem and was thousands of dollars in debt when the embezzling began to take place, Dumont said.



“She became aware of the investigation and it was at that point she came forward,” Dumont said.



Brinkman paid the group back with almost $10,000 from her mother and urged the MPG leaders not to press charges, Dumont said.



Brinkman’s attorney, Tom Hanrahan, said his client acknowledges her crime and has since reformed her life and personally sought out counseling. Hanrahan requested a 15-day jail sentence combined with home detention and at least 360 hours of community service.



Instead, Judge Thom followed the district attorney’s recommendation of a 180-day jail sentence, plus 18 months of supervised probation, $116 in restitution to the MPG for bank fees related to the case and completion of criminal reform courses.



“Regardless of what addictions we may have, we’re still responsible for our behavior,” Thom told Brinkman. “You have violated a position of trust…Stealing from a community and especially children, I think the average citizen would agree is particularly heinous.”



Still, Thom acknowledged that Brinkman has indicated a willingness to change and he encouraged her to continue working with her counselor.



"If I didn't believe that people can change, I'd never last at this job," he said.



Brinkman wept as a sheriff’s deputy handcuffed her following the sentencing. She is now lodged at Clackamas County Jail.