ELIZABETHTOWN -- Former Lake Placid property manager Penny Bruce-Schmidt will serve two to six years in prison for embezzling $170,000 from a homeowners' group.

Essex County Judge Richard Meyers handed down the sentence Friday morning as Bruce-Schmidt stood and trembled in tears.

Bruce-Schmidt was arrested Feb. 26, 2007, after an in-depth investigation, including two wiretaps, caught the Pine Hill property manager telling lies red handed to cover up her theft of funds over five years from the Homeowners Association reserve account.

SEEKS LENIENCY

In the four-hour State Police interrogation that followed her arrest, Bruce-Schmidt confessed to stealing the money, said her attorney, Ronald Briggs.

Briggs argued that the full confession and complete repayment of the stolen money should earn the defendant points for good behavior.

Bruce-Schmidt's husband, Hal Schmidt, used his retirement-account funds to make restitution, Briggs said.

"While the crime is very serious, the impact is negligible because restitution was made immediately after the incident. She's branded in the community as a convicted felon."

Briggs argued for the woman's prior good standing.

"There is nothing to hint this is anything but an aberration," he said. "Due to financial pressure, she made some very bad choices."

Bruce-Schmidt is a stay-at-home mom now, with a 13-year-old daughter and a husband who travels extensively for work.

The couple also have a 19-year-old daughter in college.

"I think the likelihood she will re-offend is nil," Briggs said. "This will be with her for the rest of her life."

LIES

Essex County District Attorney Julie Garcia didn't see the case in the same light.