Judge sentences former Owen County auditor to 20 months

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (AP) – A federal judge has sentenced a former western Indiana county auditor to 20 months in prison for embezzling $340,000 in public funds.

U.S. District Judge William T. Lawrence called former Owen County Auditor Angie Lawson’s actions “clearly reprehensible.” He also ordered her Wednesday to repay the money she used to buy jewelry, liquor, presents for her grandchildren and other items.

The (Bloomington) Herald-Times reports the 57-year-old Lawson sobbed as she stood before Lawrence in a Terre Haute courtroom and asked for forgiveness. She took full responsibility for her actions and said “there’s no excuse in the world that can justify” what she had done.