VANCOUVER, Wash. (AP) — A Vancouver, Wash., woman who splashed her face with drain cleaner and then claimed a black woman had attacked her has pleaded guilty to making a false statement to a public official — and apologized to African-Americans.
Bethany Storro received a suspended one-year sentence for the misdemeanor.
Wearing a black suit and with a clear mask strapped over her scarred face, the 28-year-old woman apologized Friday in Clark County Superior Court to county residents and particularly African-Americans, saying, “I’m genuinely and desperately sorry.”
If she completes a diversion program that includes community service, continued mental health treatment and repaying nearly $4,000 in police overtime, prosecutors will drop a felony theft charge. Two other theft charges were dismissed.
Storro has repaid $3,000 in donations made to her after the alleged attack. The Oregonian says banks have returned most of another donated $25,000.
She claimed she was attacked last Aug. 30 in a Vancouver park.
