Collapsing into tears in the courtroom after learning she will serve three-and-a-half years in federal prison, longtime Stewart Pharmacy manager Glenna Campbell was sentenced Monday for stealing over $200,000 from her former employer.
Campbell, 56, wept as the federal judge handed down the 41-month sentence for her conviction by a jury late last year for stealing $219,000 from Stewart Pharmacy where she had worked for 32 years – much of her time as the trusted manager where prosecutors say she had full access to the company’s money and financial books.
Moments after receiving sentence Mrs. Campbell collapsed at the back door of the courtroom, loudly sobbing and moaning. It prompted the court to take a break while she was assisted by friends and relatives from the courtroom.
Prosecutors came up with the $219,000 figure for money they say she stole from 2005 to 2009, but they believe the thefts had been going on since at least 2000. The federal case was circumstantial aside from a surveillance tape which appeared to show Campbell putting money in her pocketbook while sitting at her desk. She was fired shortly after the tape was discovered.
During his testimony at sentencing, IRS agent Scott Kennedy said there was no way the Campbells could have lived their extravagant lifestyle on their income. Kennedy said the couple outspent their income by $288,827 from 2005-09 buying houses, vehicles, an RV and jewelry. The Campbells say they had lived frugally and saved the money over the years. Kennedy disagreed, noting after Mr. Campbell lost his job at Carrier in 2005 their spending increased.
“It is like it is with most embezzlements,” Kennedy said. “It starts out small but gets bigger as time goes on.”
Kennedy went on to point out jewelry purchased by Mrs. Campbell as an example, noting the jewelry store owner told IRS agents Campbell would come look at jewelry on her lunch break and then come back after work with cash and buy the pieces. Campbell spent over $35,000 on jewelry from a McMinnville jeweler from 2005-09.
Given the fact her mother was looking at a minimum of 41 months, her only daughter, Monica McFarlan, took the stand and begged Judge Harry Mattice Jr., for mercy, telling the judge her father is very ill and that she herself, at age 37, is suffering from congestive heart failure and will need a heart transplant. She pointed out her parents live in an RV a short distance from where she lives and her mother is vital in helping her.
While moved by McFarlan’s plea, Judge Mattice said justice demands he pass sentence given the crime.
“I have to balance justice with mercy,” Judge Mattice said. “I feel the weight of the world on my shoulders. This is a heart-breaking case. But then I have to consider what message I am sending to the community.”
Prosecutor Gary Humble urged the judge to not waver in sentencing, saying Mrs. Campbell had still not admitted to her crime despite the evidence against her.
“She is pulling on the court’s heart strings because she committed this crime,” Humble told the court. “She is unrepentant and unremorseful.”
Campbell, in her own behalf, maintained her innocence, saying she plans to fight her conviction to the bitter end.
“I was found guilty of a crime I did not commit,” Campbell said in tears in her address to the court.
After hearing the statements from both sides, Judge Mattice sentenced Campbell to the minimum sentence for her crime, that being 41 months in prison. He also directed her to make $119,000 more in restitution in addition to $100,000 she has already paid.
With the sentence, Judge Mattice said he assumes Mrs. Campbell will appeal her conviction and gave her until April 20 to report to prison. He warned it is rare he allows defendants out on appeal bond, noting he will entertain such a motion but having it granted is a long shot meaning her sentence will likely start that day.