AUBURN — A former Lisbon Recreation Department worker who embezzled more than $1,000 of town money pleaded guilty to a felony theft charge Thursday, but will be allowed to swap that plea for a misdemeanor conviction if she steers clear of the law for the next six months.
Eva L. Noddin, 43, of Lewiston appeared in Androscoggin County Superior Court for the plea agreement. Indicted by an Androscoggin County grand jury in October, she had been free on personal recognizance.
She had kept $1,450 of town money from a Lisbon Recreation Department program where she worked, according to a prosecutor at the Androscoggin County District Attorney’s Office.
She was charged with felony theft by unauthorized taking and faced up to five years in prison.
Instead, Noddin agreed to complete 100 hours of community service and to stay out of trouble until September, when she is due back in court. She will receive no prison sentence or fine.
“I’ll just see you back here then,” Justice MaryGay Kennedy said. “I don’t want to see you after that.”
Noddin paid back all of the stolen money. The Lisbon Police Department endorsed the terms of the agreement, a prosecutor said.
A tearful Noddin answered “yes,” after hesitating when the judge asked if she were pleading guilty because she was guilty.
Noddin was recognized last year by Lisbon for five years as a town employee.
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