Humane Society ex-director pleads guilty to embezzlement charges

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Nicola (Niki) Congero, 50, the former executive director of the Lake Tahoe Humane Society (LTHS), pleaded guilty Monday to felony embezzlement for using almost $60,000 of Humane Society money for her own personal purposes.

As reported in South Tahoe Now over the last 18 months, a case was built against Congero after board members reported to the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) on March 17, 2017 that they believed their director had been embezzling money from the group. SLTPD investigated the crime under the lead of Detective Barrett Rider, pouring over films and documents to support their case. They turned in their completed report to the El Dorado County District Attorney's Office (DA) at the end of 2017. The DA's office investigated the case for seven months, leading to Congero's arrest in Tennessee on August 1, 2018.

The DA's office offered Congero a plea agreement two weeks ago and she had until September 24 to accept. They proved she engaged in numerous instances of embezzlement during her employment. Over the span of three years, she used Humane Society money for her own purposes including paying for furniture for her home, personal vehicle repair, airline tickets, cell phone coverage, retreat expenses, and other personal expenses. In addition, Congero withdrew cash and made unauthorized purchases with cash back payments, with much of the money going to use inside Dotty's Casino at Stateline.

In total, the investigation revealed that Congero had embezzled $59,664.78.

As part of a plea agreement, Congero will be placed on formal probation for a period of four years, serve six months (including time served) in the El Dorado County Jail and will agree to pay restitution for the full amount embezzled of $59,664.78. She cannot be eligible for any reduced times for good behavior or incentives, cannot be released for medical issues or other temporary reasons.

Besides the embezzled amount, Congero will have to pay the court a 15 percent administrative fee, or an additional $8,949.18.

Judge Suzanne Kingsbury went over additional terms of her probation in court which included warrantless search and seizure of her person, home, vehicle, and electronics. She will have to provide all passwords for all devices and programs. As a result of the plea, Congero will be required to abstain from all forms of gambling with stay away orders from all gambling and casino related businesses. She will also not be allowed to obtain employment with any business that would require her to handle money as part of her job duties. Finally, Congero will be barred from requesting any court for a reduction in charges or expungement until the full amount of restitution is paid to the Humane Society.

Deputy District Attorney Casey Mandrell handled the case and said the Humane Society may read an impact statement at her October 5 judgement and sentencing court date.

When arrested, Congero was living in Knoxville, Tennessee with her husband. Kingsbury told her if Tennessee doesn't accept an interstate probation compact, Congero would have to return to California or move to another state that has such a compact in place.

"We were frustrated at the length of time the process took, but this made me feel justice was being served," said former LTHS Board Secretary/Treasurer Sue Pritchett. She was in court Monday to watch the proceedings. Congero, who was sitting in the jury box in Kingsbury's court room, continued to sit with her back to the public as she had in her previous court dates. She did not look at Pritchett or South Tahoe Now.

The October 5, 2018 court date for sentencing starts at 1:30 p.m. at the El Dorado County Courthouse on Johnson Boulevard, South Lake Tahoe.