Karen Epperly appeared in court Monday, Aug. 3. Pursuant to her agreement with the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office, she began paying fines, penalties and restitution for her embezzlement.
Epperly, 50, of Idyllwild, pleaded guilty to embezzlement on July 21. Sentencing was scheduled for Aug. 3. She was initially charged in December 2013.
With the District Attorney’s concurrence, Judge Judith Clark granted Epperly five years of probation and reduced the charges on her two counts from felonies to misdemeanors.
The court order also requires her to re-pay more than $56,000 to Richard and Karen Greenwood, owners of Community Lumber, from whom she embezzled nearly $100,000. Some of the monies have already been repaid. Interest on the balance accrues at 10 percent, according to the court.
