Embezzler sentenced to prison

A woman who said she wrote herself more than $400,000 in unauthorized checks from her employer because of personal financial straits was sentenced to four years in prison and ordered to repay the funds.

Maureen Rivera, 31, received the maximum time allowed under the terms of a negotiated deal offered by the court the morning of her May 11 jury trial. Prosecutors sought five years and four months in prison but the judge countered with the four-year term. He also offered a chance at jail and probation if full restitution was made by sentencing.

Rivera pleaded no contest to felony grand theft by an employee and two counts of felony embezzlement. She was originally charged with 117 counts of felony embezzlement.

Rivera tried first to continue the sentencing date but, after the request was denied, she received prison with credit for 24 days and the restitution order.

Rivera worked as an accounts payable administrator for Neopost Mailroom Services in Redwood City between 2001 and 2007. According to the District Attorney’s Office, between Jan. 25, 2006 and Dec. 10, 2007, Rivera wrote more than 100 unauthorized checks and deposited the money into her personal bank account. On Dec. 12, 2007, the company’s finance director reportedly found three of the checks and confronted Rivera who tearfully said she and her husband were having financial difficulties.

The remaining checks were discovered during the investigation of those three, according to the prosecution.

In February 2001, Rivera was convicted in Santa Clara County of two felony theft charges for similar crimes from a prior employer, said Chief Deputy District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe.

Rivera was immediately taken into custody after sentencing for transfer to prison. She had been out of custody on a $500,000 property bond.

Michelle Durand can be reached by e-mail: michelle@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 102.