NORRISTOWN, Penn. – Despite her claims that she is allergic to prison food, the former CEO of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1776 FCU last week was sentenced to up to seven years behind bars for stealing more than $32,400 from the Plymouth credit union.
Anne Clyburn, 44, was convicted July 9 of embezzling the funds while she headed the $8 million credit union between 2000 and 2007. Authorities allege Clyburn used creative bookkeeping practices to carry out the theft.
The judge rejected Clyburn's request for bail after Clyburn claimed her food allergies have resulted in serious physical problems, including excruciating migraine headaches, while in the county jail awaiting sentencing. Acknowledging Clyburn's food allergies, the judge said he will notify state prison officials about her dietary problems.
Clyburn could reduce her minimum prison stay to nine months if she successfully completes a state prison rehabilitative program.
Clyburn took over as head of the credit union in July 2000 and served in that position until February 2007. When Clyburn was fired, the credit union’s leadership ordered an audit after it uncovered some financial improprieties, according to the criminal complaint filed by Plymouth detectives. The audit revealed Clyburn, who was earning a yearly salary of $70,000, gave herself raises, receiving a total of $32,469 in additional unauthorized compensation, prosecutors said.
