Beginning Thursday, Sally Symons will begin serving her 270-day sentence for misappropriation of government funds during her tenure as chief executive officer for the Tri-County Fairgrounds.
Superior Court Judge Dean Stout handed down the sentence, part of Symons’ agreed disposition, Monday at the Bishop Courthouse. Symons has already paid the $9,860 restitution.
She will be on formal probation for five years during which time she will not be allowed on the Fairgrounds or to handle money of third parties without her probation officer’s permission.
Symons pled guilty to a felony violation of Penal Code 424 January 25 following an investigation conducted by the California Highway Patrol Inland Division Investigative Services Unit.
She issued a letter of apology in February stating “I am taking responsibility for what I have done and will pay my due for those actions.
– Deb Murphy
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She signed a “plea agreement” and by doing so she agreed to the deal the DA offered her; she could have demanded a jury trial.
I know and have worked with Sally and know that she must be suffering a great deal right now; she has been publicly humiliated and wakes every morning in a jail cell.
Maybe you would like her in docks in front of the Courthouse?
In my view, she should be shown love, compassion, and understanding – she took some money.
AGREED to go to jail ? AGREED to a long term of probation ? When you are a defendant in a criminal case , found guilty, and are sentenced, you’re not agreeing to anything . You do exactly what the judge says or you get in even MORE trouble. And when you embezzle money entrusted to you, and you are ordered by a Judge to to replace it, it’s called RESTITUTION, not paying a debt .
And I am not being mean-spirited, I’m just being vocal on the reality of the situation. If you cross the line , and get caught , you accept the responsibilities of the poor decision(s) whether it’s paying a fine, going to jail, or facing the wrath of the community, which she is doing all 3 . Since the restitution has been paid, and when her sentence is up, the community will eventually forgive and forget.
Rick, I’m not trying to defend Sally here, but she did publicly admit and apologize for her actions on this site. That is the only time I ever heard a person do that before their sentence.
It amazes me that people think this woman should be locked up for years. You’re exactly the problem with the justice system and should all be ashamed of yourselves. You’re probably the same types that think people found in possession of marijuana should be locked up as well.
She fully admitted to what she did. She paid the restitution. It was a monetary crime, not a violent crime. She’s not a threat to society and will probably never be allowed around any job involving money, or any job at all for that matter. She didn’t take your money, so why do any of you care? Worry about your own indiscretions. There’s a reason why the U.S. holds 25% of the world’s prison population, and it’s because people who sit around online and gripe about others think everyone should be locked up for any little crime. People who commit non-violent offenses that have no priors shouldn’t serve any longer than a year in prison.
Cris–I totally agree- I also keep remembering joe walker and
that fiasco for justice.
Joe Walker’s sentence was typical for his crime, probably even on the high end. White people’s crime tends to have less harsh sentences. But if your victim is white, young, and rich, that works opposite.
Ms. Symonds sentence is also probably on the high side, on a State wide basis.
First time offense, small amount of money, restitution paid probably equals probation most places.
Not saying these sentences are right or wrong, just pointing out reality.
I will say I’d like to see a more color blind system and one based more on harm to the victims and communities.
@ Rick OB –
“Shame” on Zena for defending someone who has admitted guilt, repaid her debt, publicly apologized, and agreed to go to jail and serve a long period of probation?
Guess you – and your ilk – have an issue with the basic tenets of Christianity, which I think Zena was observing.
In any event, shame on YOU!!
Shame on you for defending her…maybe if she would have considered the consequences her actions would have on her family and friends, she never would have committed these crimes in the first place. Since the money has been re-paid already, she obviously didn’t need it.
Too harsh, Sally is a valuable person who is part of the fabric of the Owens Valley, shame on you mean spirited people.
270 days is nothing for what she did.
Ms. Symons will only serve half the sentenced time, so actual time served will be 135 days.
@Jenn Mately
Please look up quantify, apply it to your statement and kindly reply…..it’s ok you need to look it up;)
Quantify meaning expressing or measuring the quantity of. As in 270 days is NOT long enough considering how grievously Sally took advantage of the Tri County Fairgrounds and our community by committing the same crime that her direct predecessor was convicted of. As in 270 days is not enough time for us to be assured that she has learned that she is not smarter than the Tri County Fairgrounds and the community. As in 270 days is not enough time because it wasn’t a “mistake” nor a “bad decision”. She knew exactly what she was doing before she started and during the whole time she was doing it. As in 270 days is not enough time, even when it comes with a shameful public apology.
Excellent you looked it up….yes as a measurement. Now go look up her direct predecessor (I think you’ll be surprised)…all I’m asking for is a numerical breakdown of the claim that 270 days is too few…..please again quantify, hold the conjecture.
@Zach do you feel better TRYING to make people feel dumb? Most people stopped talking to people like that in the 8th grade. Didn’t work.
@CDP agreed, unfortunately this was a crime…a crime against all of us. And knowing the business the way I do, if we know someone has stolen a certain amount of money, double it, at least. I think they judge made his point, and I hope other people who are in the position to take from someone else, will look at her mug shot, and think twice.
If I’ve made anybody feel dumb about pontificating they have my sincerest apologies…..I simply was looking to be enlightened….I also don’t intend to make anybody feel like a coward by suggesting they use their real names as opposed to what they believe to be clever handles when chiming in.
Oh Zach…just the response I figured you would give…lol….typical ha ha ha
@wondering
Typical of? Please madam/sir attach your name to your response.
Yeah, lets make her serve more time for a non-violent crime, even after she admitted to it and paid the money back. Thank god you’re not involved in the system. Attitudes like yours is exactly the reason our prison system and justice system is a joke in this country. If you want to make a change, go work for the system. I did.
Bernie Madoff got 270 days for every ~90 mil he stole and he hasn’t paid everything back.