Judge takes stand, sends thief to jail

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - An Alden woman who stole hundreds of thousands of dollars gave an emotional plea for mercy in court, but a judge was unmoved.

State Supreme Court Justice William Boller sentenced Lynn Montgomery to serve one-and-a-third to three years behind bars for stealing more than $380,000 from a company in Lancaster.

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Montgomery was in tears as she made her case for Justice Boller to spare her jail time, despite having stolen hundreds of thousands of dollars from Norampac in Lancaster, where she worked in human resources.

"There is no greater disappointment in the world than to disappoint your family. My parents raised me better than my actions and I raise my children the same. I am better person than my actions," Montgomery said. "And I'm terribly sorry to all the people I've hurt."

Justice Boller responded, "Well, what kind of message does this send out to the public? And this is an epidemic."

He had little sympathy for Montgomery, who has already made $100,000 in restitution and promises to pay back more.

"You own two race cars and you enjoy going to races during racing season and you have a camper that you stay at while you enjoy these races. I know maybe the thought crossed your family's mind, maybe you should sell the race cars, and maybe you should sell the camper," Justice Boller noted.

He then sentenced her to one-and-a-third to three years behind bars.

"And it seems the message that is coming out is steal and if you get caught, pay back something and then you get probation. Don't you think the time has come to let the public know this has got to stop, there's got to be deterrents," Justice Boller said.

Montgomery was led away in handcuffs.