Thrift Store Embezzler Sentenced

A Ventura man was sentenced Monday to nine years in state prison for embezzling about $700,000 from charities that aid the developmentally disabled, prosecutors said.

Allen Henry Norton, 51, was also ordered to pay nearly $450,000 in restitution to the Foundation for Retarded Citizens of Ventura County and $94,025 to the California Franchise Tax Board.

Norton pleaded guilty in February to two counts of felony grand theft and one count of failing to pay income taxes.

He admitted stealing around $700,000 from two nonprofit groups that operate thrift stores in Ventura and Santa Maria.

According to prosecutors, Norton was responsible for managing the stores and used the funds to buy property, clothing, stereo equipment, patio furniture and luxury vacations.

Earlier this year, a bookkeeper for the two charities, Paul Peachey, was sentenced to nine years in prison for embezzling $1 million from the stores in a separate scheme.