Ex-secretary sentenced to prison for embezzling

OGDEN — A former secretary for the Weber School District Foundation has been sentenced to serve up to 45 years in prison for stealing more than $1 million from the school district's fund-raising arm.

Denise Aughney, 48, was sentenced Thursday in 2nd District Court and ordered to pay her former employer more than $1.1 million in restitution.

"I think she'll do the better part of three years," Weber County Attorney Mark DeCaria told reporters outside of court.

Aughney pleaded guilty to 45 counts of theft, forgery and money-laundering charges. She admitted to embezzling the money from the foundation, where she worked as a secretary. The crimes were discovered during a 2006 audit, when district officials found duplicate checks and forged signatures.

Authorities said Aughney took trips and purchased cars with the stolen money.

During sentencing, a somber Aughney rested her handcuffed hands on her lap. Family and friends filled two rows in the courtroom, in a display of support. They also wrote numerous letters to the judge on her behalf.

"She got in way over her head," said defense lawyer Tony Miles. "It's a sickness of trying to please others, and she had the means and wasn't watched closely. She used the money to make others happy."

Reading from a statement she wrote, Aughney accepted responsibility for the crime and pledged to repay the money she took from the foundation.

"I apologize to those who had faith in my honesty," she said.

Judge Parley Baldwin noted that Aughney stole not from a large corporation or a government agency but from a community agency that supports children, including special needs students.

"You have deprived them," the judge said.

Weber School District Foundation attorney Bryan Benard said money raised by the foundation would fund things like speaking devices for disabled students, classroom equipment and field trips. Speaking to the judge during sentencing, he said the foundation's reputation had been damaged.

"We're not out for a pound of flesh," Benard said. "We just want restitution."

The Weber School District Foundation has also filed a civil lawsuit against Aughney.

Prosecutors said Aughney would serve at least a few years before being eligible for a parole hearing.

The foundation said it has been able to continue fund-raising.

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