A Maine woman who pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $400,000 from a state paper industry association has been ordered to continue making restitution payments despite the fact the organization no longer exists, the Kennebec (Maine) Journal reported Monday.

Wendy Gagne pleaded guilty 15 years ago to stealing from the Maine Pulp and Paper Association, where she was a bookkeeper and controller. She was sentenced to 30 months in prison and four years probation. She also was ordered to pay back the money, but stopped when her probation ended in 2009.

Gange had only paid roughly $48,000 by that time. Her attorney argued she shouldn't have to pay the remaining $352,000 given the association dissolved earlier this year, a victim of the state's deteriorating paper industry. State district attorneys noted she hadn't made any payments on the restitution for eight years.

The state judge presiding over the case sided with district attorneys and ordered Gange to pay $200 a month toward the remaining balance of her restitution. The money will first be used to try to pay off the association officers, and if that is not possible, will be allocated to the Maine Crime Victims' Compensation Program, the newspaper reported. http://bit.ly/2qn3xOz

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