Eugene (KMTR) - She stole, gambled, lost and caused a company to close, ruining dozens of lives in the process.
Victoria Monfore, 46, of Springfield was sent to prison for it Thursday.
Monfore had worked for IP/Koke Printing and My Little Salesman for 16 years. She took advantage of her position to steal roughly $1.5 million from her employer, for which she was given 23½ years in prison.
Monfore’s attorney said she took the money to feed a gambling addiction.
IP/Koke CEO Jason Pierce says loss of the stolen money directly caused the company to close, forcing roughly a hundred people to the unemployment line.
Many of them showed up in court Thursday to watch her plead guilty to dozens of charges, one by one.
“It was nice to hear,” Pierce said, “I think probably for her family it was very hard. I know for the families, for our business, it's beginning of closure, because all the people lost their jobs. But you can't feel good about it, no matter what.”
Pierce says knowing Monfore is headed to prison is no consolation. He says she was trusted and was part of their larger family. And he calls that very sad.
Lane County Circuit Court Judge Debra Vogt didn’t entirely buy the gambling addiction excuse. As she sentenced Monfore, she pointed out Monfore’s many trips to Las Vegas, Cancun, Great America, cruises and many gifts for others.
