An Orland woman pleaded guilty Friday to embezzling from the eye care practice in Ellsworth where she worked.

Carolyn J. Saunders, 57, admitted in U.S. District Court in Bangor that she stole money from cash deposits she made as financial administrator for Coastal Eye Care and Coastal Eye Surgery Center.

Chris Ruge, an Assistant U.S. Attorney, said officials hope to get a full accounting when they compile a presentencing report, but he said Saunders admitted embezzling the money “scores of times” and that the amounts included “hundreds of dollars at a time.” Ruge said Saunders told the court that sometimes she spent the money right away and that other times she deposited it in her personal bank account.

Saunders faces a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.


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