McDougle pleads guilty in gambling-theft case

Jennifer McDougle, 45, Pullman, Friday morning in superior court entered a plea of guilty to a charge of first degree theft which evolved from a state gambling commission report. McDougle was charged with taking funds from tenants while she was employed at Emerald Downs Apartments in Pullman. The amount of funds missing was approximately $30,000, Dan LeBeau, senior deputy prosecutor, told the court.

McDougle was granted a request to have her sentencing delayed until Dec. 11.

An investigation report from the Washington State Gambling Commission was filed with the charges. The account said a commission agent was advised by the manager of Mr. Z's Casino in Pullman he had become aware that McDougle was gambling at the casino with funds she had taken from tenants at the apartment. Under commission regulations, the casino was obligated to make the report to the state commission.

The theft charge alleged McDougle took funds from the tenants while working for the apartment from August of 2013 to April of 2014. It said the thefts were discovered in April of 2014 when one of the tenants of the apartment complained that he was being billed for past due rent when he had actually made advance payments.

McDougle entered her plea after negotiating an agreement with the prosecutor's office. In the agreement the state offered to drop another charge and request restitution on the amount of $2,500. A charge of money laundering was dropped.

LeBeau explained that her employer, Dabco Property Management, had been reimbursed by insurers for the rest of the loss.

Defense Attorney John Hart said McDougle's actions were related to underlying causes, but he delayed making additional comments until the sentencing date.

Under the state's sentencing guidelines, McDougle faces up to 90 days in jail on the theft conviction.