Delta Burke Employee to Stand Trial in Theft

The former household manager for television stars Delta Burke, formerly of “Designing Women,” and her husband, Gerald McRaney of “Major Dad,” was ordered Wednesday to stand trial on charges that she stole more than $11,000 from the Pasadena couple by writing unauthorized checks.

Paulette Ava Broughton, 44, of South Pasadena, is accused of making personal payments to a weight-loss clinic, a bridal shop and a furniture store from an account earmarked solely for the actors’ household expenses.

Broughton’s attorney, Laurence Ring, argued that the dispute was a civil matter, and he claimed the district attorney’s office pressed criminal charges against his client only because of the prominence of Burke and McRaney.