Former Stockton Colts treasurer pleads guilty to embezzlement

 The former treasurer of the Stockton Junior Colts Hockey Club pleaded guilty Monday to embezzling $27,205 from the organization from 2012-14 and has paid full restitution, according to the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office.

Jennifer Lee Hicks, 35, was charged late last year with embezzling funds during a stint as treasurer that ran from June 2012 to June 2014.

According to the court, Hicks returned $10,000 before charges were filed and repaid an additional $18,655 on Monday, with $1,450 going to the costs of an audit.

Judge Ronald Northup placed Hicks on three years’ probation, sentenced her to 30 days in jail and levied additional court fines Monday.

A felony charge against Hicks was reduced to a misdemeanor because of her cooperation, payments, lack of a past criminal record and her use of retirement funds to pay restitution, the court said.

According to the original complaint filed against Hicks, her embezzling began to come to light in May 2014 when she decided not to seek another term as the Colts’ treasurer. Her replacement as treasurer was the first to begin to realize the existence of financial improprieties, the complaint said.

District Attorney Tori Verber Salazar recommends organizations establish finance and audit committees to review all records on a monthly basis. Deputy District Attorney Stephen Taylor said insurance policies covering embezzlement are a valuable, inexpensive method of protection