The Coeur d'Alene finance employee fired for allegedly embezzling city funds had been convicted for stealing an Oregon company's money years ago. Sheryl Lynn Carroll, 51 - who was fired July 24 after she failed to show up for a personnel meeting to discuss allegations she transferred city money into her personal accounts - pleaded guilty to first-degree theft March 21, 1983, in Deschutes County for stealing from Everett Turner Realtors, the real estate office where she worked in Bend, Ore. "It was difficult for me," said Everett Turner when he was reached by The Press this week. Turner had hired Carroll in 1980 and caught her stealing in December 1982. "We trusted her. She was like a member of the family. The whole office, 14 people, and she stole from every single one of them." According to Deschutes County court records, as part of her guilty plea, two counts of forgery were dismissed against Carroll, who had the last name Anderson at the time/Tom Hasslinger, Coeur d'Alene Press. More here.

• Former deputy clerk hit with civil judgment/David Cole, Press

Question: How prevalent do you think embezzlement is?