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Charity Director Receives 2-Year Term For Embezzlement

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By ELAINE SILVESTRINI | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 20, 2007

Updated: 11/20/2007 06:37 pm

TAMPA When Debbie J. Nieto ran Tampa Bay Reads, she used the charity's coffers to finance the lifestyle she thought she deserved, a federal prosecutor said Tuesday.

Nieto always wanted and thought she deserved a two-story house on the water and expensive jewelry, said Assistant U.S. Attorney Cherie L. Krigsman. "She felt entitled to take the money."

The 44-year-old former court stenographer said she was suffering from mental illness that does not excuse her betrayal, but does explain it.

Nieto was sentenced Tuesday to two years in federal prison for embezzling between $200,000 and $400,000 from the literacy group over three years, eventually bankrupting the organization in 2004.

Nieto apologized for her actions during a sentencing hearing and told U.S. District Judge Elizabeth Kovachevich she is "a changed person" who has found religion since she was arrested in 2004.

"This past January, I began attending church regularly and the hope I had lost, the shame I felt, the sadness and fear began to dissipate," she said. "I didn't understand what was happening, but now I know it was God working in my life to change me. I was now beginning to feel joy and peace, confidence and calm."

Her attorneys said she has been diagnosed with a type of bipolar disorder that explains her actions during a three-year period when she used charity money for personal expenses. About 40 friends and family members were in court to support Nieto.

Attorney Steven Crawford said the 24 months in prison is ""too much" punishment. He suggested a year or 18 months as more appropriate. "She confessed to what she did," he said. "She admitted her guilt."

Krigsman, however, said the diagnosis was based on Nieto's own "highly suspect," uncorroborated description of her symptoms.

Kovachevich said Nieto used the organization's debit cards for meals, clothes, lingerie, groceries, home furnishings, liquor, shoes, gasoline, haircuts, jewelry and insurance. The judge said her actions were planned and deliberate.

One of the victims who spoke was Renee Williams, who worked as a consultant for Tampa Bay Reads before taking over as interim director after Nieto resigned.

"Her crime affects so many people," Williams said. "Consider the construction worker who has excellent work ethics and skills, but cannot read. He or she cannot be promoted to foreman and possibly is an OSHA hazard for the company. But also consider the elderly person who cannot read their prescription and takes their medication improperly, and dies. Consider the enormous number of adults who cannot read and barely get by in society."

In addition to the prison sentence, Kovachevich ordered Nieto to serve five years probation and pay $317,618 in restitution.

Reporter Elaine Silvestrini can be reached at (813) 259-7837 or esilvestrini@tampatrib.com.

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