Ex-Ohio Girl Scouts boss to repay $20K cookie cash

[May 29, 2009]  DAYTON, Ohio (AP) -- A former Ohio Girl Scouts leader has agreed to pay the organization $20,000 as restitution for stealing money from a cookie account and using it for vacations, groceries and other personal expenses.

Prosecutors say Tamara Jo Ward had access to a bank account the Dayton-based troop used to deposit cookie sales revenue that was to pay for the troop's recreational activities.

The 45-year-old Ward pleaded guilty in April to grand theft.

Under a restitution agreement, she'll pay $5,000 up front. She'll also pay $250 a month during a five-year probation and spend 30 days in jail.

Girl Scouts of Western Ohio staff representative Marcia Dowds attended Thursday's court hearing. She says the agreement allows everyone in the case to move on.

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Information from: Dayton Daily News, http://www.daytondailynews.com/

[Associated Press]

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