Bettysue Higgins, 54, pleaded guilty to embezzling $166,000 from the Maine Trial Lawyers Association while she was a former administrative assistant there. Where did that money go? Mainly Zynga games.
Higgins forged the name of the association's executive director Steven Prince for more than 5 years from May 22, 2006 to Sept. 9, 2010, forcing the accounting books to disguise the 78 checks she forged that were deposited directly to her personal account. Those funds were paid out to Zynga's YoVille and Mafia Wars.
Higgins was convicted earlier of misapplication of property and theft by taking $2,075 from the Gardiner area school district. Higgins must pay up to $166,700 in restitution, but considering that her and her husband's home is already in foreclosure, the chances that this amount will be recouped are doubtful.
