WILKES-BARRE -- A woman from Luzerne County is now locked up after pleading no contest to theft.
Gloria Riegel of Exeter was accused of spending hundreds of thousands of dollars from an estate that was actually meant to go to charity.
Riegel decided not to fight the charges against her and was sentenced to 30 to 60 months in prison.
She and her late husband were supposed to make sure that money from a friend's estate was used to help homeless or abused children. Instead, they spent about $800,000 on themselves.
Riegel tearfully told a Luzerne County judge she takes full responsibility for her actions. The judge then sentenced her to up to five years in prison.
Her attorney advised her plead no contest to charges of theft and conspiracy.
"It was a tough sentence, but the allegation is that $800,000 was missing," said Riegel's attorney Jeff Lindy.
Riegel and her late husband Joel are accused of spending hundreds of thousands of dollars from the $1.2 million estate of the late Anthony Kane. In his will, Kane wanted most of the money to go to the United Way of Wyoming Valley, a nonprofit that benefits local charities to help children living in poverty.
But instead, the Riegels spent much of it on big expenses, such as a country club membership and a home in Florida.
"Tony and Sarah Kane really wanted to support this community through the United Way. It's really unfortunate that his intent was never fulfilled," said United Way of Wyoming Valley president Bill Jones.
That $800,000 could have helped a lot of people. For instance, a fraction of that money, $80,000, could have benefited 345 children in the Luzerne County SHINE program, which helps prepares kids for college.
"The victims here are the people from Wyoming Valley that could have been served with all those dollars over a very long period of time. It's just a sad day," Jones added.
In addition to her prison sentence, the judge ordered Gloria Riegel to pay $800,000 in restitution to the United Way of Wyoming Valley. She's eligible for parole in 22 months.
