Describing Marie Gazaille as “kind and compassionate,” Mary Fisher of Butler has nothing but positive things to say about her former home care worker.

“She juggled a three-ring circus,” said Fisher, who is in a wheelchair because of a significant permanent illnesses. “She was the best care attendant I’ve ever had.”

However, court records say Gazaille no longer works for Fisher after Gazaille billed the state for hundreds of hours she couldn’t possibly have worked because Fisher was in the hospital or out of state at those times.

Gazaeille, 34, of Butler pleaded guilty to theft and filing a fraudulent medical assistance claim, both felonies. She was sentenced Tuesday by Butler County Judge Tim McCune to serve three years of probation and to repay $4,403 to Three Rivers Center for Independent Living.

According to court records, Gazaeille was employed for about 8 years to assist Fisher with daily activities such as bathing, grocery shopping and vacuuming.

However, the court records allege Gazaille drove Fisher to the home of Gazaille’s mother in Massachusetts on May 29, 2014. During Fisher’s stay in that state, Gazaille reportedly drove back to Butler, and Fisher was admitted for a four-day hospital stay.

After Fisher’s release from the hospital, court records allege Fisher became more ill and was in a “dire” and “critically ill” condition having spent days vomiting before she was taken back to the hospital on Gazaeille’s return on June 13.

“This investigation has shown that the reason for the delay in Ms. Fisher’s hospitalization was because the defendant had abandoned Ms. Fisher,” states the affidavit by the state attorney general’s office.

On other occasions, the affidavit alleges Gazaille billed for hours she couldn’t possibly have worked because Gazaille, according to her own social media reports, was in Dallas, Texas or Las Vegas, Nev.

In all, the records allege Gazaeille billed for 471 hours she did not work between September 2012 and November 2014.

Court records say Gazaille “ceased her employment” for Fisher in September 2014.

Still, Fisher attended court to speak on Gazaille’s behalf. Fisher told the judge that she originally hired Gazaille when she lived in Boston, but both woman relocated when Fisher’s father became ill in Butler.

Fisher said Gazaille took good care of her, helped with her father until his death and watched her own children, one of whom is now Fisher’s godchild.

“Give her another chance,” Fisher urged the judge. “Temper justice with mercy.”

After hearing from Fisher, the judge decided the defendant’s probation can end if she pays all court costs and restitution. The judge also lifted a restriction that banned Gazaille from having contact with Fisher.

Nearly immediately after, the woman in the wheelchair produced a small bag filled with Christmas gifts for Gazaille’s children.