Woman pleads guilty to theft by embezzlement

A former Aspen Painting, Inc. office assistant pleaded guilty to criminal attempt at theft Monday for carrying out a scheme to embezzle some $7,000 from the company in January.

Sharon Brewer, 27, pleaded guilty to the felony in Pitkin County’s 9th Judicial District Court, and faces up to eight years in prison, because she was on probation for an earlier conviction, according to court proceedings.

According to court documents, Brewer filled out three separate checks, totaling $7,000, which her boss, Roger Moyer, owner of Aspen Painting, Inc. signed and she later cashed. Moyer later discovered the impropriety and confronted Brewer about the situation.

Brewer and Moyer reached an agreement allowing Brewer to pay the money back, and for Brewer to keep her position with the company, according to court documents.

In March, Brewer presented Moyer with a $7,000 check, which he instructed her to deposit in a company account, court documents said. But instead of depositing the check she showed Moyer, Brewer deposited several checks – made out to Aspen Painting from clients – and tore up her check to repay the funds, according to court documents. In May, Moyer learned of her actions and alerted authorities.

Her sentencing is set Nov. 1.