High school principal who stole gets probation

BALTIMORE -- A former Baltimore principal who pleaded guilty to stealing nearly $60,000 from her high school's student activity fund has been sentenced.

Thirty-nine-year-old Alisha Trusty was sentenced to five years probation. Maryland State Prosecutor Emmet Davitt said at sentencing Thursday that she was also ordered to finishing paying restitution.

According to the Baltimore Sun, Davitt had originally asked for a nine-month sentence because Trusty had abused her position, adding that her financial problems were not an excuse, as she made close $126,000 per year.

However, Trusty's attorney reportedly asked for probation, noting that she had no criminal record and has already repaid $15,000 of the $38,912 restitution on her now-$15-an-hour salary.

After sparing the former principal from jail time, the judge warned her that she could go to jail if she failed to keep her word and pay her restitution, reported the newspaper.

The investigation into Trusty reportedly began after a complaint of "numerous irregularities" in the activities account from the Baltimore City Public Schools' Office of Legal Counsel.

Prosecutors said Trusty used a debit card and checks linked to Western High School's student activity account to buy personal items and pay bills, including legal fees and utility costs.

She was charged last November and pleaded guilty to the charges in June, The Associated Press reported.