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The home of Longaberger basket company CEO Tami Longaberger on her 200-acre estate about 45 miles east of Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Howard Hanna Real Estate Services)

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Longaberger caretaker pleads guilty

Ex-caretaker pleads guilty in Ohio to $1.5M theft

Updated: Thursday, 14 Mar 2013, 8:42 AM EDT
Published : Thursday, 14 Mar 2013, 8:42 AM EDT

ZANESVILLE, Ohio (AP) - A former caretaker of a mansion owned by the Longaberger Co.'s CEO has pleaded guilty to stealing $1.5 million from his former employer.

The Muskingum County prosecutor said Wednesday that 53-year-old Douglas Thompson, of Pataskala, pleaded guilty this week in Zanesville to one count of aggravated theft for stealing from Tami Longaberger, CEO of the Newark-based basket-making company.

Prosecutor Mike Haddox says the thefts occurred between November 2004 and February 2011.

Haddox says Thompson had cash, checks and Longaberger's credit card to pay for estate operations and used the estate money to pay his credit card bills and for other personal items, including computers and home improvements.

A message seeking comment was left with Thompson's attorney Wednesday.

Haddox says Thompson could be sentenced to up to eight years in prison.

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