Probation ruled in forgery

Bill Gang

Tuesday, Nov. 30, 1999 | 10:55 a.m.

While a secretary for a Las Vegas law firm, Linda Carucci devised a way to dip into the office trust account to feed what she admitted was a gambling addiction.

In all, she pilfered nearly $63,000 from attorney Christopher Gellner and his bank by activating an unused line of credit, forging checks on the account and hiding the bank records from her boss.

On Monday District Judge Mark Gibbons sentenced Carucci to probation but required her to spend 30 days in the Clark County Detention Center -- 15 weekends if she prefers -- and repay what she stole.

She also must stay away from any business where there is gambling.

Deputy District Attorney Dan Bowman had urged a prison sentence, stating simply, "She's a thief."

But Carucci apologized for her criminal actions and explained, "I have a very serious gambling problem" that has landed her in Gamblers Anonymous.

"This is the first holiday I haven't spent in a casino," she noted.

While she has agreed to repay her debt at the rate of $200 each month, Gellner told the judge that won't even cover the interest.

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