Ind. woman pleads guilty to theft, conspiracy

EVANSVILLE, Ind. (AP) — A southwestern Indiana woman has pleaded guilty to felony charges stemming from her role in embezzling $290,000 from a Masonic women's organization in Evansville.

The Evansville Courier & Press reports (http://bit.ly/VzBQMF ) 37-year-old Susan Hilgeman pleaded guilty Monday to felony charges of forgery and conspiracy to commit theft. Her sentencing is scheduled for April 24, when she could receive up to 11 years in prison for the combined charges.

Hilgeman's mother, 80-year-old Marilee Garrison, is also charged with conspiracy to commit theft in the case and faces a July trial. Both Susan and her mother were officers in Order of the Eastern Star, a Masonic women's organization.

Indiana State Police arrested the women last April after a yearlong investigation prompted by other officers in the chapter who contacted police.

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Information from: Evansville Courier & Press, http://www.courierpress.com