Wife of Sen. Hemmings sentenced to community service, $4,500 fine

A state judge today sentenced the wife of state Sen. Fred Hemmings to one year of probation for stealing from a nonprofit organization when she was its executive director.

Circuit Judge Glenn Kim also ordered Lydia Hemmings, 53, to perform 150 hours of community service and pay a $4,500 fine.

When Kim asked Hemmings if she can pay off the fine at a rate of $500 per month, she said the amount was “a little steep.” Kim then ordered her to pay $300 per month.

Hemmings was executive director for Blueprint for Change when the state says she received double reimbursement for organization expenses and purchases between May 2005 and August 2006.

The state says Blueprint paid her twice for payments of $718 and $500 for hotel fees where the organization conducted workshops and for the purchase of three computers at more than $4,000.

Hemmings earlier pleaded guilty to three counts of third-degree theft in July in a plea deal with the state. The deal guaranteed she would not go to prison. She had been facing three counts of second-degree theft.

Third-degree theft is a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail and $2,000 fine.

Second-degree theft is a class C felony punishable by up to five years in prison and $10,000 fine.