PRAIRIE DU CHIEN, Wis. -- A Prairie du Chien woman was sentenced in Crawford County Circuit Court Wednesday for a theft-in-a-business setting.
The criminal complaint, filed in September, alleged that Pamela Buchen, 50, embezzled more than $25,000 from Daycare on Dousman, a day care run through the Lutheran Church in Wauzeka. A formal edit showed there were more than $50,000 of "suspicious transactions" dating back to 2002. During the investigation, Buchen told authorities she began taking money in 2004 for a personal gambling habit and wanted to pay the day care back.
Judge Michael Rosborough sentenced Buchen to four years probation, with six months in jail with work release. He also ordered restitution of $60,000. Buchen paid $13,570 of that amount.
The maximum penalty is 10 years in prison and a $25,000 fine.
