Thompson to seek accelerated rehab

CORNWALL — Former Cornwall Park and Recreation Director Bethany Thompson, accused of embezzling $10,500 from the Berkshire United Soccer Club, will seek to enter into accelerated rehabilitation. Her case has been continued to July 9 in Bantam Superior Court.

The accelerated rehabilitation program offers a second chance to first-time defendants. If approved by a judge, Thompson will be placed on probation for up to two years. If the terms of the probation are completed, the charges are dropped.

It remains to be seen if those terms include the repayment of the stolen funds. Thompson,  38, who is reportedly pregnant and due this month, admitted to the thefts that took place over a four-month period in 2009 and 2010.

According to court documents, Thompson broke down and cried, and made the admission when state police arrived at her Kent Road home to question her.

She turned herself in on a warrant April 5 and was charged with one count of second-degree larceny, a class C felony. A conviction carries a prison term of one to 10 years and a fine of up to $10,000.

Meanwhile, Berkshire United has re-formed as the Northwest United Soccer Club, in order to start fresh and disentangle its current financial affairs from the past. The club is open to youth in all six Region One towns.

The theft was discovered by club President Ken Stone, who investigated the club’s bank account after hearing Cornwall Park and Recreation funds were missing. Thompson had total control over finances for both organizations. She has not been charged with the Cornwall theft.

Better accounting practices have been put in place by both the Recreation Commission and the soccer club. (See story, this page.)

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