CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A former Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services supervisor facing up to 32 years in prison will serve two years of probation instead.
A judge told Paula Thomas she will have to pay back the $11,000 she stole from a county crisis fund.
[PAST COVERAGE: Former Mecklenburg Co. DSS supervisor pleads not guilty to fraud charges]
Thomas oversaw approval of requests for rent and utility funds for families in need.
Between 2012 and 2013, prosecutors said she created false requests, using clients’ sensitive information, like Social Security numbers, to funnel thousands of dollars to herself.
>> In the video at the top of this page, Channel 9’s Anthony Kustura explains why the judge decided on a lighter sentence.
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