TOPEKA, KS—A Lawrence woman was sentenced Wednesday to 24 months in federal prison for embezzlement and ordered to pay $837,000 in restitution to her former employer, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said.

Sharon Ann Holladay, 58, Lawrence, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement. In her plea, she admitted the crime occurred while she worked as an officer manager for Westheffer Company, a Lawrence business that manufactures and sells agricultural chemical spray equipment.

Holladay used her access to the company’s financial system to transfer money from the operations account to a petty cash fund she controlled. She also used her access to the payroll system to give herself unauthorized bonuses and commissions. In addition, she made unauthorized purchases on the company’s credit card.

Grissom commended the Lawrence Police Department, the FBI and Assistant U.S. Attorney Rich Hathaway for their work on the case.