A former hospital employee, Michele Rose, 62, was recently sentenced to one year in federal prison for embezzling nearly $154,000 from a not-for-profit health organization in Jasper.

Rose pleaded guilty to five counts of wire fraud and must also serve one year of supervised release and repay the stolen funds.

Court officials say that for over a decade, Rose misused her role managing a medical staff checking account by writing fraudulent checks to herself.

The account, funded by doctors’ dues, was meant to support community initiatives.

Instead, Rose used the money for personal expenses, hiding the fraud in financial reports.