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Ex-SPJ Treasurer Gets 10-Year Deferred Sentence

SPJ

TULSA, Okla. (AP) — The former treasurer of Oklahoma's Society of Professional Journalists chapter has received a 10-year deferred sentence for embezzling more than $43,000 from the nonprofit.

Norman resident Scott Cooper was also ordered Thursday to spend four consecutive weekends in county jail and perform community service, among other stipulations.

In his resignation letter to SPJ board members, Cooper said he stole the funds because he had a gambling problem.

The Indianapolis-based journalism organization said Friday that Cooper's actions hurt the credibility of local SPJ officers, board members and volunteers.

National president Dana Neuts says her organization is developing measures to prevent such an incident from happening again. Neuts also says SPJ is reassuring volunteers that what happened in Oklahoma was an isolated incident.