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State Sen. Fred Hemmings’ wife pleaded guilty in state Circuit Court yesterday to three counts of misdemeanor theft, in exchange for one year of probation and no jail time.
Lydia Hemmings, 53, was facing three counts of second-degree theft, which are class C felonies punishable by up to five years in prison for each count.
But in a plea deal with the state attorney general, Hemmings pleaded guilty to three counts of third-degree theft. Hemmings also agreed to pay a $4,500 fine ($1,500 for each charge), restitution and community service.
The amount of restitution and community service will be determined when Hemmings is sentenced in September, said Lance Goto, deputy attorney general.
According to the indictment against her, Hemmings stole money from Blueprint for Change, a nonprofit organization, between May 2005 and August 2006. At the time she was the organization’s executive director. She now works for the state.
The state says Hemmings received double reimbursements for payments of $718 and $500 to hotels where Blueprint conducted workshops and for the purchase of three computers at more than $4,000.
