theft

Woman Accused of Embezzling Nearly $130,000 From Girl Scouts, Cancer Center

She could face up to three years and eight months behind bars if convicted, prosecutors said.

A certified public accountant charged with embezzling more than $93,000 from two Girl Scouts troops, a Girl Scouts service unit and a local cancer center made her first court appearance Thursday on two felony counts filed against her this week.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Gustavo Sztraicher allowed Patricia Cascione, 52, of Santa Clarita, to remain free on $20,000 bond while awaiting arraignment next Tuesday on two felony counts of embezzlement.

Prosecutors are expected to ask then that Cascione's bail be increased to $125,000.

Cascione was the chief financial officer of the Beverly Hills Cancer Center and the volunteer treasurer for two local chapters of the Girl Scouts of the United States of America and a Girl Scouts service unit when the alleged crimes occurred, prosecutors said.

Cascione allegedly used nearly $59,000 from the Girl Scouts' accounts for her personal use between March 2013 and February 2017, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.

She also is accused of diverting $34,500 in donations for the cancer center to one of her Girl Scouts accounts, according to prosecutors.

She was arrested Sept. 17 by Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies and was released from custody later that day.

Cascione could face up to three years and eight months behind bars if convicted, according to prosecutors.

Copyright CNS - City News Service
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