The former director of finance for the La Jolla Music Society was sentenced Thursday to 30 months in prison for embezzling more than $650,000 from the nonprofit over the course of nearly a decade.
He also noted that Benavides was making a six-figure salary and his theft was not committed out of desperation or due to being in dire financial straits.Steve Baum, chair of the nonprofit's board of directors, said the organization is"relatively small" and operates"like a family." Due to the tight-knit nature of the nonprofit,"people were really heartbroken" when the theft came to light, Baum said.
Benavides told U.S. District Judge Cathy Ann Bencivengo,"I'm ashamed of what I've done" and that he has since lost the trust of many friends"all because of my poor decisions." The judge, who imposed a higher sentence than the 24 months requested by the prosecution, excoriated Benavides, saying that this type of embezzlement is"way more egregious when a nonprofit is involved."
In addition to custody, the judge issued a preliminary order to pay $650,000 in restitution to the nonprofit.
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