A Las Vegas woman could be released from prison due to a diagnosed gambling disorder and pay restitution, but local prosecutors are fighting the effort.
Jerry Nann Meador, 53, embezzled more than $500,000 from a Las Vegas plumbing business, for whom she was the bookkeeper for many years.
She was convicted of a felony, but a Clark County Judge ordered her to be released and entered into a diversionary program for treating criminals with gambling addiction.
Local prosecutors, however, appealed the matter to the Nevada Supreme Court, and Meador remains jailed. Prosecutors say Meador stole much more than the amount needed to cover her gambling debts and is using abusing the process.
Meador admitted to embezzling $542,971.62 from Rakeman Plumbing and was arrested in 2012.
Rakeman Plumbing officials estimate Meador stole more than $1 million from the company and said she never showed any signs of gambling addiction prior to her 2012 arrest and eventual conviction.
A clinical psychologist last year diagnosed Meador with a gambling disorder, and the court ordered a hearing to determine whether or not she qualifies for the gambling treatment program and restitution, rather than serving time in prison.
A 2009 Nevada law allows people diagnosed as problem gamblers to enter into treatment and pay restitution, rather than serve jail time.
The program does not remove criminal convictions, thought, and Meador will remain a felon, whether or not she undergoes treatment via the diversion program.
