The Seattle Indian Services Commission manages this property in Seattle, Washington. Photo from Save Seattle Indian Services / Facebook

The former treasurer of the Seattle Indian Services Commission was sentenced to 60 days for stealing nearly $14,000 from the public corporation in Seattle, Washington.

Cindy Pederson, 56, pleaded guilty to second-degree theft. She repaid the money she stole from the organization, which she reportedly took to fund a gambling habit.

Pederson also admitted that she stole $10,000 from the Haida Heritage Foundation. She was not charged with that crime and also repaid the money.

“I don’t know how the demons took over, but they did," Pederson said in court on Monday, The Seattle Times reported.

The Seattle Indian Services Commission is overseen by a board of five members. Pederson resigned last year after her theft of funds was discovered.

The commission is supposed to oversee services for the nearly 5,000 American Indians and Alaska Natives who live in the city. It has been plagued by allegations of mismanagement.

Claudia Kauffman, a member of the Nez Perce Tribe, was appointed chair of the commission in October 2014, Seatlte Magazine reported.

Get the Story:
Ex-treasurer sentenced to 60 days for theft from Seattle Indian Services (The Seattle Times 10/13)
‘Flummoxed’ judge charges past sweet plea deal with thieving city of Seattle appointee (The Seattle Post-Intelligencer 10/12)