Woman Pleads Guilty In Case

— A Huntsville woman admitted on Wednesday to embezzling thousands of dollars from her former employer.

Chanda Renee Nodine, 40, pleaded guilty to three counts of forgery in the second degree, a Class C felony; and two counts of theft of property, a Class B felony. Her plea was to the court and without the benefit of a plea agreement. Punishment will be decided by Circuit Judge Brad Karren at a hearing set for 8:30 a.m. April 11.

Nodine could be sentenced from five to 20 years for each of the Class B felonies. She faces from three to 10 years in prison for each of the Class C felonies.

Nodine admitted taking $108,656 from Copeland’s Steakhouse of New Orleans in Rogers. She worked there as bookkeeper and was arrested June 8, 2011, according to court documents.

Restaurant owner Joe Lisuzzo reported an embezzlement from the business in May 2011. Lisuzzo reported Nodine embezzled more than $110,000 from the business from April 2009 until she was fired in April 2011 for work deficiencies, according to court documents.

The affidavit states Nodine’s salary was $1,675 every two weeks, but her salary and work duties changed and her salary went to $1,600 every four weeks.

Court documents claim an audit conducted after Nodine’s termination found Nodine had written about 50 unauthorized checks to herself. Lisuzzo was able to provide police with copies the checks Nodine wrote to herself in 2010 and 2011.

According to the affidavit, police obtained Nodine’s banking records showing many transactions at casinos.

Kenny Fitch, a detective with the Rogers Police Department, spoke with Nodine on June 6, 2011. Nodine admitted to the thefts but couldn’t provide a dollar amount she stole, according to court documents.

Nodine told Fitch she would write herself checks from Copeland’s account, according to the affidavit. Nodine also said she and her husband have gambling problems, according to the court documents.

She claims the thefts started just after her job and salary changed in 2010, according to the affidavit.

Nodine was released from the Benton County Jail after posting a $25,000 bond.

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