Showbiz
Danielle Steel's ex-assistant sentenced
Published Wednesday, Apr 21 2010, 09:37 BST | By Aaron Broverman
Danielle Steel's former assistant has been sentenced to almost three years in prison after embezzling $1m (£650,000) from the novelist.
According to CBS News, Kristy Watts worked for 15 years and earned an annual salary of $200,000 (£130,000) for part-time work that included handling Steel's payroll and accounting.
The 48-year-old pleaded guilty last year to depositing numerous cheques in her own bank account and paying herself more than her salary.
US District Court Judge Vaughn Walker sentenced Watts to two years and nine months in prison on Tuesday.
She has paid the author $969,752 (£630,000) to settle a lawsuit by selling her house and its furnishings.
Watts is married to a San Francisco police officer.
According to CBS News, Kristy Watts worked for 15 years and earned an annual salary of $200,000 (£130,000) for part-time work that included handling Steel's payroll and accounting.
The 48-year-old pleaded guilty last year to depositing numerous cheques in her own bank account and paying herself more than her salary.
US District Court Judge Vaughn Walker sentenced Watts to two years and nine months in prison on Tuesday.
She has paid the author $969,752 (£630,000) to settle a lawsuit by selling her house and its furnishings.
Watts is married to a San Francisco police officer.
More: Danielle Steel, Showbiz
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