Someone I know stole money

The_Ogre

The_Ogre

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...from her employer.

Background: her husband's business was going down, so in an effort to helo him recover, she transferred from her employer's account 1.4 million (over a period) with the view of paying it back - don't ask...

Naturally the husband's business never recovered and now courr is her home

So, she now wants to enter a guilty plea. So I was just curious, whats the minimum she can expect to serve now?

Its actually a friend of my wife and this lady tried to off herself last monday. Its the first we actually heard about this wntirw thing today.

My wife is naturally quite heartsore about this whole affair, but it is what it is. She stole.

So, I'm just wanting the views of you guys on this. (Im looking at you, Paul and izzy, amongst others)
 
If she's in government or the anc nothing will happen to her.....
 
YingYang said:
...from her employer.

Background: her husband's business was going down, so in an effort to helo him recover, she transferred from her employer's account 1.4 million (over a period) with the view of paying it back - don't ask...

Naturally the husband's business never recovered and now courr is her home

So, she now wants to enter a guilty plea. So I was just curious, whats the minimum she can expect to serve now?

Its actually a friend of my wife and this lady tried to off herself last monday. Its the first we actually heard about this wntirw thing today.

My wife is naturally quite heartsore about this whole affair, but it is what it is. She stole.

So, I'm just wanting the views of you guys on this. (Im looking at you, Paul and izzy, amongst others)
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was the theft detected by the employer or is it only her own admission and volition which leads to the discovery? The sum in question falls within the commercial crimes scope of things and it could result in a fairly hefty penalty if the prosecuting authority hold a particular view.
 
YingYang said:
she transferred from her employer's account 1.4 million (over a period) with the view of paying it back
Click to expand...

If memory serves - The prescribed sentence for fraud/theft in excess of R500,000 is 15 years - The judge will ultimately rule on the sentence based on the circumstances etc.
 
My mom's friend's brother served 8 years in Jail for a conviction in a R700,000 fraud case. Came out of prison with AIDS. Let's hope she get's off a bit better than that.
 
Paul Hjul said:
was the theft detected by the employer or is it only her own admission and volition which leads to the discovery? The sum in question falls within the commercial crimes scope of things and it could result in a fairly hefty penalty if the prosecuting authority hold a particular view.
Click to expand...

What he said. Certain things will make the sentence lenient: First time offender? bread winner? Dependents? Remorse?

Admitting guilt is a step in the right direction. Unfortunately she stole a massive amount, and that will count against her quite badly.
 
If she shows real remorse and makes an attempt to pay the money back (even token amounts) then based on recent similar instances in Cape Town, she will get a lighter sentence.

Reality is she stole and needs to face the consequences. Whatever the outcome, she will suffer for life as nobody will employ her again.
 
I have seen it in my business.

Good people get desperate and do stupid things.They start stealing small amounts and never get caught. Small amounts grow into large amounts and suddenly they've stolen hundreds of thousands.

I don't trust anyone now. Especially the people I like. You got to keep honest people honest.
 
Madman88 said:
I have seen it in my business.

Good people get desperate and do stupid things.They start stealing small amounts and never get caught. Small amounts grow into large amounts and suddenly they've stolen hundreds of thousands.

I don't trust anyone now. Especially the people I like. You got to keep honest people honest.
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Agreed
 
IzZzy said:
What he said. Certain things will make the sentence lenient: First time offender? bread winner? Dependents? Remorse?

Admitting guilt is a step in the right direction. Unfortunately she stole a massive amount, and that will count against her quite badly.
Click to expand...

More than just that:

Background: her husband's business was going down, so in an effort to helo him recover, she transferred from her employer's account 1.4 million (over a period) with the view of paying it back - don't ask...
Click to expand...

This is more than just theft is it not? This is fraud and theft, depending on how she covered her tracks with respect to the theft.

I cannot see her coming out of this with a wrist-slap. Some relatively serious jail-time is likely...
 
Interesting issue. The main question here is will the boss rat her out or could she make a deal. If she goes straight to the 5-0, then they will open a case of fraud.

EDIT: Read wrong. Nvm.
 
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DJ... said:
More than just that:

This is more than just theft is it not? This is fraud and theft, depending on how she covered her tracks with respect to the theft.

I cannot see her coming out of this with a wrist-slap. Some relatively serious jail-time is likely...
Click to expand...
That is the major reason why who is responsible for detection is quite important. Theft is one thing, conducting an enterprise of theft and covering by fraudulent means is quite another. If however the tracks are so well covered that her cooperation is needed ...

Also the OP states that she intended returning the funds which has implications for the charge of theft but they aren't all good.
 
She did not admit it on her own accord. They detected money was going missing before she and the hubby could start paying it back. Not that it would have made a sifference because the business is completely fubar now.

Her husband has a full time job now and she's unemployed. She is a really nice person with absolutely no criminal record. And that is what's making it so hard for me and my wife to believe she did such an incredibly stupid thing!

Side note, the husband asked to borrow 20k from me not too long ago. In hindsight, this was probably the point at which things started to go wrong for them. I didn't have the money, which is goid, since Im sure I wouldn't have seen it again.
 
I assume her husband is a suspect/arrested? Do they have children?

I've seen sanctions swing wildly for fraud/theft related incidences - the factual situation of the crime + personal circumstances in each case is considered in sentencing. Facts don't look good for her.
 
Strange how thieves always mean to pay the money back, and then they never get to do it.
 
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