Lynn Tomlinson

Lynn M. Tomlinson says she’s already apologized to the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh. Now she’s going to have to repay about $300,000 ... when she gets out of prison.

In a move described as “uncharacteristic” of the otherwise good-hearted former secretary at Holy Sepulcher Catholic School, Tomlinson, 46, stole fundraising money and students’ tuition over the course of about four years.

Tomlinson, who pleaded guilty to third-degree felony theft and tampering with records, was sentenced Thursday by Butler County Judge William Shaffer.

She will serve 9 to 18 months in jail, followed by a decade of probation and 100 hours of community service.

“You owe a lot of money,” the judge said of the lengthy probationary term in which the defendant will have to pay $1,000 to Holy Sepulcher, $249,000 to the diocese and $49,879 to an insurance carrier.

Tomlinson’s attorney Steven Misko had asked the judge to keep his client out of prison, saying she could repay the money faster if she wasn’t incarcerated.

Misko also argued that Tomlinson was an otherwise good person who was known in the community to help others and had great support from friends and family. Several people attended court to support her, including a sister who spoke on her behalf.

Misko said Tomlinson, who made a $20,000 restitution payment on her way to court Thursday morning, has been working in Monroeville but would likely lose that job if sentenced to jail time.

But Assistant District Attorney Patricia McLean, who prosecuted the case retorted: “I have no doubt she’s a loving person, and this is a surprise to her friends ... But this wasn’t a one-time thing. It was a specific, deliberate and sophisticated scheme.”

McLean pointed out that the defendant used the stolen money to buy jewelry and clothes.

According to court records, Tomlinson after her arrest told investigators she “got carried away with the spending ...”

When given a chance to speak during the hearing, Tomlinson apologized to the church and school.

Tomlinson, who said her husband has divorced her, told the judge she is regretful for her crimes. She said, “I don’t want to sound like I’m a victim in this case, but I have lost a lot.”

Officials at the school did not attend court and declined to comment when contacted by telephone later.