Kelley Jo Hunt began the theft from Miller, Miller & Canby in 2008 and took over US$600,000 according to prosecutors. The firm, founded in 1946, specialises in land-use, trust and tax work and has provided several presidents of the county bar from among its partners.

No fur coats

Ms Hunt inflated her wages, paid herself twice on occasion and also got paid for overtime she did not work. The theft was discovered when a payroll report went to the accounts team rather than, as usual, to Ms Hunt. She has repaid US$123,000 and is planning to repay at least twice that amount again. Her lawyer, David Moyse, said that she had used the money on her family and on the mortgage. He said: ‘There were no fur coats or fancy trips or extravagant items.’ Source: ABA