Karen Eames Sentenced in Embezzlement Case Karen Eames Sentenced in Embezzlement Case

JEREMY STRIANO: The decision was a long time coming and the day finally arrived. Good afternoon and welcome to NCC News at 445. I’m Jeremy Suriano.

EMILY SHIROFF: And I’m Emily Shiroff the sentencing of Karen Amaes as our top story.

STRIANO: Our NCC news reporter Matt Kibby is live outside of the Onondaga County Courthouse with more… Matt?

MATT KIBBY: Ames was sentenced today early this morning, involved in the embezzlement paired with her husband, Isaac, who committed a murder suicide a year ago. Ames was sentenced today. Walking into court today, Karen Ames had a plea deal waiting to be finalized. The only thing that was left to decide was if she would serve any prison time. And Judge Limpert made sure it was known that Ames could have prevented this back in 2020 when the embezzling started.

JUDGE LIMPERT: You could have said to your husband, Stop, stop taking the money, give it back. It’s not ours. It’s not right. You didn’t do that.

KIBBY: Because of this. Ames was sentenced to the full six months. That was a part of the plea bargain, an outcome that still pleased her attorneys. The sentencing being better than it could have been. Saying that if Isaac, her husband, was still here, things might be different. I’m very.

MICHEAL VANVONESE: Very happy that the court recognized her situation falls into Isaac’s who if here would be much, much more severe actually.

KIBBY: The district attorney saying even if the former deputy sheriff was here, this outcome was still likely.

PETER HAKES: The idea that she was in some way sort of a tragic victim of a psychopath just doesn’t fit with what we learned during the course of this case.

KIBBY: Back inside the courtroom during her final remarks, Ames spoke in her only comment on the entire day, saying this act was not who she is.

KAREN EMAES: This was out of my character for me. And from the day to this calmly, I have done everything in my power to make this right.

KIBBY: Now, Ames was sentenced to six months prison time and also five years’ probation. She will serve that time locally at the Jamesville Correctional Facility outside the Onondaga County Courthouse. I’m Matt Kibbe and NCC News.

STRIANO: Matt, you mentioned the character of Karen Ames. What is she doing to improve that?

KIBBY: Well, she talked about the fact that she has regretted this decision, and in doing so, she actually paid her lump sum in full today inside the courthouse.

SHIROFF: Matt, what was the reaction inside the courtroom when that sentence was handed down, specifically Karen herself?

KIBBY: Karen broke down behind the fence bench and she was really emotional about the fact that she was going to be serving time. Her family was also in the ground, in the box around the courthouse. They were very emotional as well. Even the prosecution was saying that this decision, although it’s the right outcome, something doesn’t feel right about it, because Isaac Ames is not here to serve for the crime that he committed as well.