Good Riddance?

She stole $143,000 from the Edmonds School District and is going to jail for 14 months:

Lewin, a former district bookkeeper, has no criminal history, and she stood to spend just three months or less in the county jail under the state’s sentencing laws.

By law, Bowden was able to go beyond the standard sentencing range because Lewin had agreed that what she did was a major economic offense against the school district.

Deputy prosecutor Adam Cornell asked for only four months in jail. Lynnwood defense lawyer Michael Mulvihill recommended three months or less.

Bowden acknowledged that Lewin cooperated with school officials and the state auditor when the theft was discovered. She also pleaded guilty

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, saving the state the expense of a trial.

“Candidly, that saved you a considerable amount of time,” Bowden told her.

After imposing the surprise prison term, Bowden said “I do not do so lightly. I do so because of the magnitude of the crime.”…..

Besides prison, Lewin is obligated to pay back a big chunk of the money, and may be made to pay the rest when an ongoing civil lawsuit is completed.

Hunter and Mulvihill have agreed that she owes at least $68,500.

Good riddance, right? Well, …maybe not.

We, the taxpayers, get to put her up at the state prison for around $25,000/year during which time it is doubtful that she will be able to make any contibutions toward restitution. Would it not be better for the taxpayers and more importantly the victem if she were not imprisoned but, rather, put under close supervision (GPS monitor, etc) and allowed to work and begin paying back the stolen funds.