Robinson Woman Sentenced for Embezzling $1.4 Million

A Robinson Township woman has been sentenced to three-and-a-half to seven years in prison for embezzling from her employer, said Michael Manko, spokesman for Allegheny County District Stephen Zappala.

Marie Garde-Knoche, 39, of Nottingham Drive, was charged in May 2011 with embezzling $1.4 million from her employer Allegheny Psychological Services and Allegheny Forensic Associates, where she worked for 11 years. 

She has also been sentenced to four years probation in connection to the charges. 

The district attorney's office said Garde-Knoche wrote business checks to herself and used a company debit card for personal expenses, as well as gave herself bonuses and pay raises.   

Garde-Knoche pleaded guilty to five charges of theft in September and has been ordered to repay Allegheny Psychological Services, Manko said.