FORT KENT – A former teller at the Fort Kent Federal Credit Union on Wednesday pleaded guilty to theft in 1st District Court and was ordered to pay a $1,000 fine.

Tammy L. Nadeau, 24, also was sentenced to 30 days in jail, with the sentenced suspended by Judge Ronald A. Daigle.

Nadeau was summoned in March by the Fort Kent Police Department for the theft of more than $7,000. The theft is believed to have occurred between Dec. 7, 2000, and Feb. 15, 2001. She had been an employee of the credit union a little more than six years.

Though Nadeau originally was charged with a felony, the charge was reduced last month to a misdemeanor. The charge was reduced to theft involving money in excess of $1,000.

According to John Pluto, Aroostook County assistant district attorney, full restitution of $7,500 was made to the Fort Kent Federal Credit Union “early on in the case.”

Pluto said the incident was an embezzlement situation. The time frame of the embezzlement, according to Pluto, is from last fall until Feb. 15, when the shortage was found.

Pluto said the reduction of charges was made because restitution was made, Nadeau had no previous criminal record, and “she stepped up and acknowledged she did something wrong.”

Pluto said she is not a danger to society.

Nadeau and her attorney, E. Allen Hunter of Caribou, were both in court Wednesday for the short judicial process, Pluto said.

The missing money came to light around Feb. 15, and Nadeau was dismissed from her duties as a teller at the financial institution.

The Fort Kent Federal Credit Union, which has assets of $26 million, notified local police of the situation Feb. 15. The credit union, in operation since 1963, has never had a situation like this occur, according to manager Bern Michaud.

Funds at the credit union, as at all federal credit unions, are insured by the National Credit Union Association, a federal agency.