ESCANABA — An Escanaba woman who embezzled from Jim’s South Side grocery while working at the store was sentenced Monday.

Jamie Lynn White was sentenced to one year in the Delta County Jail with credit for 243 days served. She was ordered to pay $57,871.04 restitution to Jim Berthiaume, former owner of the store, and will be placed on three years probation.

“You’re on the razor’s edge regarding prison, and we don’t have any room for error. As a matter of fact, you’re kind of like somebody whose treading water just barely, where you’re not even with your chin above water, it’s just barely your nose. That’s how close you are to going under,” 47th Circuit Court Judge John Economopoulos told White Monday while stressing the importance of her paying restitution.

White initially faced one felony count of embezzlement of $50,000 or more but less than $100,000 and one felony count of embezzlement by an agent or trustee of $20,000 or more but less than $50,000, as well as a second offense habitual offender notice. In late January she pleaded no contest to the felony count of embezzlement by an agent or trustee of $20,000 or more but less than $50,000 in exchange for the the other charges being dismissed.

White wept Monday as she made her final pre-sentencing statement.

“I know that the effects of what I’ve done have been absolutely devastating for Jim. So I’m not going to stand up here and say that I don’t deserve to be here because I do. My actions were selfish. My addictions were selfish. And I know that no matter how many times I apologize, I’ll never repay the damage that I’ve done and I will never forgive myself for this, but I wanted just to say that I’m truly sorry and I’ll do whatever I can to make it right,” said White.

Berthiaume, while present Monday, did not speak during the hearing. However, extensive references were made to a victim’s statement submitted to the court prior to White’s sentencing.

“I think it’s the most direct result of an impact on the victim that I’ve ever seen in such a specific way, in that the victim in this instance had to sell the store due to this defendant’s own actions,” said Delta County Prosecutor Lauren Wickman.

Noted during the hearing were a number of ways that Berthiaume had supported White during her employment at Jim’s South Side. Berthiaume had given White raises, provided her with free groceries weekly, and purchased a grill for her son.

“The generosity that he had given you is almost fairytale stuff. You know, the grocer who’s helping the employee. I could write about it and people would think that I’m making it up, it’s too pollyannaish. Well, this was real life for you. You had a real good person at your side here. You did,” Economopoulos told White.

“I know,” she replied.

Berthiaume had previously told the Daily Press that White was responsible for making bank deposits for the business. It was when checks written from that account began to bounce that White’s actions were discovered.

Economopoulous waived the $500 fee for White’s court-appointed attorney, saying he wanted that $500 to go to Berthiaume. White was ordered to pay $338 in other fees, plus two additional recurring fees related to motoring while she is on probation totaling $90 per month.

All tax returns White receives will be seized for Berthiaume’s restitution.

While on probation, White must seek employment for a minimum of 30 hours per week, but may not work in a position that requires her to handle other people’s money. She is prohibited from consuming alcohol or intoxicants, entering bars, possessing or using drugs or drug paraphernalia, gambling, entering gambling establishments; committing an assault or abusive or threatening behavior, having contact with anyone housed in a Michigan prison or that she knows to be committing a crime, or possessing or using a weapon.

White must also cooperate with alcohol and drug testing, attend a 12-step recovery program, complete outpatient substance abuse treatment if recommended by her parole officer, only take medications as prescribed by a physician, and submit to searches of herself and of her property.