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OGDEN — A former Ogden middle school teacher has been ordered to spend one day in jail and two years on probation after she misappropriated at least $21,000 in school charity donations for personal use.
Elizabeth Galbraith, 44, pleaded guilty Aug. 29 to wrongful appropriation, a second-degree felony amended to a class A misdemeanor. In exchange for her plea, a second-degree felony charge of communications fraud was dropped.
She was sentenced to 180 days in jail, with 179 days suspended if she successfully completes her two years on probation. She also owes a restitution fee of $12,795, plus interest.
Galbraith was placed on administrative leave Jan. 11 after the Ogden School District noticed a discrepancy in the state tax-exempt Sam's Club card used by Mount Ogden Junior High, the district said in a statement.
Galbraith submitted her resignation Feb. 2, the district said.
Surveillance footage showed Galbraith illegally using the card for personal purchases at the Riverdale Sam's Club, according to a police booking affidavit.
"It was discovered that over $21,000 that was in Elizabeth's possession is unaccounted for," the affidavit says.
Upon reviewing receipts, officers said they noticed a large amount of the personal purchases Galbraith made were paid for using gift cards.
According to the affidavit, Galbraith told police during an interview that she "accidentally threw away" between $8,000 and $13,000 in gift cards while on Ambien, a prescription sleep medication.
Galbraith was the sole handler of funds for the charity organization Change for Children, where local businesses provide financial donations for families in need at Christmastime. Police said they contacted families listed as recipients of the donations, and found many of them had received half of what they were listed as receiving or nothing at all.
"We will proceed with steps to ensure that all financial discrepancies related to this situation are resolved and that all donation recipients receive the full amount intended by donors," the school district's statement said.
