Paso Robles woman sentenced to five years for embezzling $500k from elderly couple

A Paso Robles woman was sentenced to five years in prison for embezzling nearly $500,000 from an elderly Paso Robles couple.

Diana Russell, 43, was sentenced on Monday.

Russell was employed as a bookkeeper and assistant of the couple between July 2015 and June 2018. Because both victims were over the age of 65 at the time, Russell was charged with embezzlement from an elder.

At the sentencing on Monday, the victim’s daughter-in-law described Russell as someone who was treated and trusted like a member of the family. When one of the victim’s died, she said, Russell was with the family as they made funeral arrangements but then purchased an expensive ring with the stolen money just a few days later.

A hearing is scheduled for May 6 to determine the amount of restitution Russell will be ordered to pay.