Prosecutor: Woman stole gold to pay mom’s medical expenses

ATTLEBORO, Mass. – A Massachusetts woman charged with stealing $40,000 worth of gold from her employer to pay for her sick mother’s medical expenses has avoided jail.

The Sun Chronicle reports that 40-year-old Carmelita Francis on Thursday pleaded to sufficient facts for a guilty finding on larceny charge and was sentenced to two years of probation and 20 hours of community service. The case was continued without a finding, meaning the charge will be dismissed if she stays out of legal trouble during probation.

Prosecutors say Francis stole gold discs manufactured for the U.S. Mint while working at an Attleboro precious metals manufacturer. The gold was recovered at a Rhode Island pawn shop.

Her lawyer said his client is a widow motivated by love for her dying mother in the Philippines, not by greed.

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Information from: The (Attleboro, Mass.) Sun Chronicle, http://www.thesunchronicle.com