Former SCAA treasurer sentenced for theft

The former treasurer for Second Chance Animal Adoption, who embezzled more than $3,400 from the non-profit agency, expressed her sorrow during her sentencing on Tuesday.

As part of Donalyn Dovale-Brown sentence hearing, attorney Glen Walker told the court she was humiliated and ashamed, and she knows it will take time for her to be forgiven.

Dovale-Brown, 29, of Moyie Springs will serve 30 days in jail , pay $2,070 restitution, was placed on three years probation and ordered to pay court costs of $150.

Dovale-Brown had no prior convictions, which weighed on the court’s decision for a withheld judgment. That means she can have the felony conviction removed from her record after completing terms of her probation.

Tim Dougherty, vice-president of  SCCA, told the court that Dovale-Brown admitted to taking the money. Dougherty also testified about the board’s deep hurt and disappointment and asked the judge to sentence her accordingly.

“We are very sorry this had to happen on both ends,” Rhonda Hamerslough, executive director for SCCA, said in reaction to the sentencing. “We feel bad that Donalyn chose this route and we trusted the judge would sentence her according to the law and we are pleased with the outcome.”

On Nov. 15, Dovale-Brown was confronted by SCAA board members about the missing funds from an Edward E. Jones savings account. She admitted to the theft and the use of the organization’s debit card for personal use.

Dovale-Brown paid back $500 and received a loan from her grandmother to pay off the $2,909 prior to sentencing. The balance of restitution is the amount that was found by auditors hired by the SCAA board and the auditors’ fees.