Columbia woman sentenced after stealing thousands from employer

A Columbia woman was ordered Monday to pay back almost $77,000 to her former employer after she admitted to embezzling from the company.

Carol Buxton, 51, was sentenced to 60 days of shock detention in the Boone County Jail, five years of probation and restitution following a hearing Monday afternoon in the Boone County Courthouse.

Buxton was charged with seven counts of felony forgery and one count of felony stealing in February. Boone County Sheriff’s deputies said she stole about $77,000 from Simon Steel, 1330 E. Prathersville Road, by forging checks and altering the company’s records between October 2005 and September 2006. She pleaded guilty to one count of felony stealing on Oct. 1.

Buxton’s jail term will begin Tuesday. She was ordered to pay $5,000 immediately and at least $600 a month until she pays a total restitution of $76,954.45. She was also ordered to inform employers of the nature of her conviction.

“This is not going to be easy,” Judge Jodie Asel said of the restitution. ” It’s up to you to make it work.”