Pocono News Section

Woman Pleads Guilty to Stealing from Soldier Support Group

Woman Pleads Guilty to Stealing from Soldier Support Group - Wednesday, October 15, 2008 at 5:20PM EST

Reported by: Joe Holden
Wednesday, Oct 15, 2008 @ 05:20pm EST
WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY- She was accused of an outrageous crime - stealing money from a family support group for the 109th National Guard. In court, Christine Healey pleaded guilty to charges of theft. She read a tearful letter of apology.

Healey spoke exclusively with Eyewitness News. “I never wanted to hurt them. I know the sacrifice their son made. They just feel I took money as soon as people gave it to me. It was never like that,” she said.

At one time, Healey headed up the family support group for the 109th National Guard. That is until it was discovered she pocketed more than $5,000 from donations in honor of First Lieutenant Jeffrey DePrimo.

Since then, the late lieutenant's family has dealt with his death and this. DePrimo’s mother Helen said, “Well this is part of my huge family. And, my son couldn't have picked a better family to join than the military and the National Guard. We're doing okay. It's hard, I miss him terribly, but we're doing okay.”

Healey pleaded guilty Wednesday to theft charges. The judge sentenced her to a year probation and 100 hours of community service at veterans facilities.

Jeffrey Tokach of the Luzerne County District Attorney's Office said, “She was eligible for her year probation. She got the year probation. She got 100 hours of community service and I think the sentence was appropriate.”

Healey also paid back the more than $5,000 worth of donations. But Healey will serve a worse sentence. Lieutenant DePrimo's family refuses to accept her apology.

Healey said, “I don't know. Other than trying to make it up to them, I really don't know. I don't think they'll ever forgive me, but all I can do is try I guess.”