ALBANY – A woman accused of embezzling $127,000 from the Jewish Community Center was sentenced to five years of probation this week, according to the Albany County District Attorney’s Office.
Judge Andra Ackerman imposed the sentence Wednesday on Martina Hull, 42.
The former human resources director of the Sidney Albert Albany Jewish Community Center faced three to nine years in state prison if she did not pay back the money she stole from the Whitehall Road facility. Ackerman postponed the sentencing until this week to give Hull time to repay the money in return for the promised sentence of probation.
Prosecutors said Hull created an employee named “Harry Hall IV” without permission and paid the $127,000 into that account.
The Albany County District Attorney’s Office said Hull paid back about $85,000. A spokesman for the office said the JCC’s out-of-pocket cost was reduced by about $10,000 because the government credited the organization for money deducted from the fake employee’s paychecks.
Hull was also able to negotiate a settlement amount with one of the JCC’s insurers that reduced her repayments to them from $90,000 to $60,000, prosecutors said.
In May 2022, Hull pleaded guilty second-degree grand larceny for embezzling the money between Oct. 21, 2016, and March 21, 2020, prosecutors said.
Hull’s case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Linda Griggs. Hull was being represented by attorney Adam Staier.