Erie County District Attorney Jack Daneri blamed the thefts on a gambling habit.
He said the defendant, Rebecca A. Leone, 36, crafted a sophisticated plan to take the money by writing school district checks to herself and then went out to play the slots at the casino, referring to Presque Isle Downs & Casino in Summit Township. She gambled it away, Daneri said at Leone s sentencing on Friday.
He also called her a sociopath because of how much she stole and the lengths she went to carry out the crimes for so long.
The prosecution s points prevailed.
Erie County Judge John J. Mead followed Daneri s recommendation and sentenced Leone to state prison. Mead gave her two to 13 years.