Woman who embezzled $41,000 from Butte charity gets deferred sentence

An official with a local Bagdad Shriners organization told a judge that a woman did more than take money when she embezzled more than $41,000 from the Butte charity for sick and disabled children.

“Because of her actions, people now question whether their donations will ever truly reach the children they were meant to help,” Ben Thielen said to District Judge Robert Whelan on Wednesday.

“She did more than just steal money,” he said of 47-year-old Crystal Lynette Sever. “She damaged the very soul of the charity and the community that supported it.”

Thielen said the charity wanted to see “the full extent of the law laid down on this,” meaning a maximum sentence, but knew that wouldn’t happen. But he said full restitution was needed and suggested Sever get at least 30 days in jail.

Whelan