Taft sentenced to 12 months

A Portage resident convicted of embezzling more than $100,000 from a local credit union was sentenced in St. Joseph County Circuit Court last week.

Kristen Taft, 57, was sentenced to 12 months in jail and five years of probation. Judge Paul Stutesman said her jail sentence would be reduced if she is able to pay more than $160,000 in restitution, according to court officials.

Taft, who previously served as president of the St. Joseph Valley Community Federal Credit Union, had pled guilty in March to the charge. She was a 32-year employee of the credit union.

An audit revealed the acts of embezzlement started in 2004.