Embezzler’s sentencing postponed

A defense attorney’s motion drew the ire of a Waynesboro prosecutor in court Wednesday, but convinced a judge to postpone sentencing for an embezzler facing a jury-recommended prison sentence of almost 23 years.

Richmond-area defense attorney David Hargett, who did not handle the November jury trial for Wendy L. Sprouse, asked the court to hear an argument that her crime was a single action, and not the three separate embezzlement counts for which a jury convicted her.

“I just think this is a frivolous motion to delay sentencing,” said Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Thomas Weidner.

If Hargett were serious, he would have filed a written motion, Weidner said.

Sprouse, 40, of Waynesboro, embezzled more than $16,000 from a city real estate agent by writing herself more than 30 checks for work the agent said she didn’t do.

Weidner said Wednesday that Sprouse wrote the checks in different ways and for different reasons, constituting multiple offenses, not a “single larceny,” as Hargett said.

Hired as a personal assistant to Kevin Sweeney, of Sweeney Properties LLC and Re/Max Advantage, Sprouse worked there for nearly two years before a July confrontation and subsequent September firing. She wrote non-sequential checks to herself from the back of her employer’s checkbook, according to testimony. Some of the checks paid her husband’s mortgage.

Almost 10 hours of trial testimony included handwriting analysis and heated exchanges between Sprouse and Weidner. The defendant twice has been convicted of embezzlement for taking $7,000 and $8,000 from Rockingham County businesses, according to testimony.

Weidner called Sprouse “attractive” and said her charm gained her trust. He asked the jury how many people would need to be liars to believe her.

Weidner has seven days to respond to Hargett’s motion. Sentencing is June 2.

“Do you have any other motions?” Judge Humes J. Franklin asked Hargett. “If you do, they better get filed.”

Also this week, the witness-victim program received a restitution check on Sprouse’s behalf for at least $17,000, “subject to verification,” Weidner said.

Sprouse, who appeared in an orange jail jumpsuit and acknowledged about a dozen supporters, is being held at Middle River Regional Jail.