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cbsnews Kristy Watts, a bookkeeper who worked 15 years for American romantic-drama novelist Danielle Steel,  was sentenced to nearly three years in federal prison Tuesday for scamming $768,000 from the popular author. Watts, 48, earned an annual good salary of $200,000 for part-time work that included handling Steel’s payroll and accounting. She pleaded guilty in September to tax evasion and fraud, including depositing numerous checks made out to “cash” in her own bank account, using the author’s credit card rewards points for plane flights and paying herself more than her salary. Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker proposed doubling the sentence, but after Watts showed remorse at the hearing, he agreed to a 33-month plea deal, According to the San Francisco Chronicle. In a statement read at court, Watts admitted she was motivated by “envy and jealousy” of Steel for embezzling the money. She had previously showed no remorse for her actions. Steel approached Watts after the ruling and wished her good luck, defense lawyer Anthony Brass told the Chronicle. Walker also sentenced Watts to 400 hours of community service when she is released from prison. Watts has paid the author $969,752 to settle a lawsuit by selling her house. She is married to a San Francisco Police Department officer and has a 6-year-old daughter. Danielle Steele’s Bookkeeper Kristy Watts Is Sentenced 3 Years In Federal Prison is a post from: Daily World Buzz Continue reading →