Inside Job: Former Library Worker Sentenced to 30 Days in Jail for Theft

Time to update

'It just got out of control,' says St. Paul library clerk sentenced in theft of 1,400 books, movies. (St. Paul Pioneer-Press, 7/8/2011)

Excerpt: A St. Paul public library worker charged with stealing 1,400 books and movies, in part through the creation of fake patron accounts, was sentenced Wednesday to 30 days in jail and ordered to perform 200 hours of community service.

Amanda Marie Cortright, 32, will serve the time on electronic home monitoring, Ramsey County District Judge Judith Tilsen ordered.

The probation department and Cortright's attorney recommended no jail time, but Tilsen said it was appropriate, given the value of the books: almost $38,000.

"I can't recall another time I didn't see a recommendation of jail time" for a theft with such a large dollar amount, Tilsen said. She ordered the 30 days.

Cortright, already weeping, cried, "Oh, oh my!"

Cortright, of St. Paul, pleaded guilty April 25 to receiving stolen property. A charge of theft by swindle was dropped as part of the plea agreement.

"I do take full responsibility for what happened," she said when the judge asked if she wanted to speak. "It just got out of control. I'm extremely sorry."

Defense attorney Tom Donohue said Cortright had been punished "about as severely as she could be. She's lost her job; her neighbors won't talk to her."