Ex-Humane Society director finishes jail term just one month after guilty plea

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Even though she was sentenced to six months in jail after taking a plea deal for her embezzlement of almost $60,000, Niki Congero, the former executive director of the Lake Tahoe Humane Society, has been released and is now back in Tennessee a free woman.

She was in the El Dorado County Jail from August 1 to October 28, a total of 89 days. Her jail term started the day of her arrest in Tennessee.

Congero pleaded guilty on September 24, 2018 to felony embezzlement for using $59,664.78 of Humane Society money for her own personal purposes. The El Dorado County District Attorney's Office proved Congero engaged in numerous instances of embezzlement during her employment at the South Lake Tahoe nonprofit. 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.

The South Lake Tahoe Police Department first became aware of the crime when the board of the nonprofit contacted them in March of 2017. Detectives conducted an intensive investigation, then turned the case over to the DA's office in January 2018.

Congero was arrested in Tennessee on August 1, 2018.

Terms of her parole include repayment of the amount embezzled with a 15 percent administrative fee on top of that, or an additional $8,949.18.

At her sentencing, Judge Kingsbury went over additional terms of Congero's probation 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.

In California, the criminal justice realignment gives most defendants a day for day credit against any sentence unless they are jailed for certain sentences and/or crimes such as three strike cases, sex crimes, and serious or violent felonies.

The current board of the Lake Tahoe Humane Society declined to comment on Congero, saying they've moved forward and are working to rebuild the agency.

Congero was recently in Tennessee but it is unclear if that is where she'll continue to live.