ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A Rio Rancho couple has been sentenced to two years' probation and ordered to pay nearly $75,000 in restitution for embezzling money from a New Mexico casino.
Federal prosecutors say 43-year-old John Hoffman and his wife, Michelle Fischer, were sentenced yesterday.
Hoffman pleaded guilty in March to a charge of embezzling money from the Santa Ana Star Casino.
At the time, Hoffman worked in the casino's marketing department.
Authorities say Hoffman gained access to active and inactive "Player's Club" cards and added money and credits to the cards without proper authority from December 2010 to August 2011.
Hoffman admitted giving the cards to his 43-year-old wife. Authorities say Fischer distributed the cards to people who used them to gamble and then give the couple a percentage of their winnings.