Grand Island nonprofit’s ex-leader convicted in theft case, will pay $35,000 in restitution

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — The former leader of a Grand Island nonprofit was convicted Tuesday in an embezzlement case.

Leah Smillie, 54, pleaded no contest after prosecutors reduced her charge from theft by deception to attempted theft by deception.

Under the agreement, she will be required to pay about $35,000 in restitution.

SEE ALSO: Court docs: Grand Island nonprofit leader misspent thousands on Broadway tickets and more

Court documents say when Smillie was the executive director of the First Light Child Advocacy Center, she spent its money on personal expenses.

There were 88 fraudulent transactions totaling $24,885.44 in the nonprofit’s financial records from July 2023 through February, according to an arrest affidavit.

The Grand Island Police Department said Smillie used the nonprofit’s credit card for a trip to New York.

She claimed that it was for an International Child Advocacy Center conference, but employees told police there is no evidence that such a conference even exists.

The cost of the supposed conference was $1,118.14.

But authorities said Smillie actually spent the money on Broadway.

A subpoena of StubHub revealed that Smillie bought two tickets for “Glengarry Glen Ross.” After all the fees, the total cost was $1,118.14.

Police said Smillie also used the nonprofit’s bank card to pay more than $3,000 in medical bills.

Several flight and hotel bookings were also listed as fraudulent.

Smillie is set to be sentenced on Nov. 14.