Marshmallow Festival ex-chairwoman pleads guilty

ALBION, Ind. (WANE) - A former chairwoman of the Ligonier Marshmallow Festival Committee admitted to stealing money from the festival Thursday in court, according to our partner in news, KPC News .

Tamara Deel, 43, of Ligonier, pleaded guilty to theft, a Class C felony; theft, a Class D felony; and fraud on a financial institution, a Class C felony in Noble Circuit Court.

According to KPC, Deel said she stole more than $100,000 from her then-employer, G&S Products Inc., between June 3, 2008, and June 30, 2012; stole money owed to the festival between Nov. 20, 2009, and April 28, 2012; and committed fraud on a financial institution between June 3, 2008, and June 30, 2012.

A plea agreement in the case, if accepted, would call for the majority of Deel’s sentence to be served on probation, during which time she would be required make restitution of $116,192 to her victims.

If the Noble Circuit judge accepts the agreement, Deel would be sentenced to six years in prison with a maximum of one year of incarceration, which could be served in prison or on work release, Community Corrections or electronically monitored home detention.

The balance of the sentence would be suspended and on probation if the agreement is accepted.

According to court records, Deel used the more than $100,000 she stole from G&S Products to buy appliances, Longaberger baskets and liquor.

Court records also said Deel allegedly wrote checks from the festival’s account totaling more than $15,000 that was not used for festival business.

The alleged thefts were part of a continuing fraud perpetuated by Deel involving passing checks among bank accounts, she admitted Thursday.