SEATTLE (AP) — Federal prosecutors are seeking an eight-year sentence for a Kirkland financial planner who stole more than $12 million from 42 clients.
Rhonda Breard (bree-ARD’) is being sentenced Wednesday afternoon at U.S. District Court in Seattle. She pleaded guilty in April to one count of mail fraud, admitting that she concealed the theft by mailing the clients fake account statements.
She used the money on three expensive homes, travel, jewelry, and more than two dozen vehicles.
Breard was licensed to sell securities through Des Moines, Iowa-based ING Financial Partners. ING has already reimbursed some of the victims and tells the U.S. attorney’s office that it intends to reach settlements with the rest within two months.
Breard’s attorney has recommended a sentence of about 512 years, saying she cooperated fully once she was caught.
