Ex-Minn. man sentenced for embezzling from non-profit

A Minnesota man has been sentenced to 27 months in prison for embezzling from an employee benefit plan.

Federal prosecutors said Thursday Paul Smith, the former executive director of the Marie Detty Youth and Family Services Center in Lawton, has to pay more than $91,000 in restitution.

Smith, of Foley, Minn., was convicted of embezzlement from an employee benefit plan and making false statements to investigators.

Court records show the center, which administers a Head Start program, designated that a certain amount of federal grant money go to the benefit plan.

Prosecutors say Smith had directed that checks be written to the company managing the plan, but later had the checks held or voided before payment was made.

Smith's attorney, Mack Martin, says he and Smith plan to discuss whether to appeal.

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