Maine Orthodontist's Bookkeeper Celine Davis Gets 6 Months for Embezzling $120K

Celine Davis, bookkeeper for an Augusta, Maine (ME) dental practice owned by Dr. Darryl Zeleniak, was convicted on embezzlement charges and sentenced to six months. Dr. Zeleniak testified that the betrayal by Davis — whom he had treated as a friend — was more painful than the financial loss itself. His statement reflects a sentiment Prosperident hears consistently from dental practice owners who discover that trusted, long-term employees have been stealing from them.

Source: Kennebec Journal / CentralMaine.com — sentencing coverage. Davis pleaded guilty on October 25, 2011 to theft by unauthorized taking; her full sentence was five years with all but six months suspended, plus three years of probation.