10/22/2009

Associated Press

The former executive director of a shelter for domestic violence victims has pleaded not guilty to charges she stole more than $56,000 from the organization.

The Register-Guard newspaper reported Thursday that 61-year-old Ethel Bassett of Lane County was fired last year by the nonprofit Siuslaw Outreach Services board of directors.

Florence police say an investigation found money missing from a program designed to help offenders attend domestic violence and rehabilitation classes. The alleged thefts took place over several years.

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Information from: The Register-Guard, http://www.registerguard.com