The stepfather of an Orchard Park teenager with cancer was sentenced Tuesday to a one-year conditional discharge for stealing $6,363 from a benefit fund that was set up to help pay for her medical treatment. Prosecutors said he spent the money at area casinos.
Erie County Judge Kenneth F. Case ordered Daniel Dreyer, 53, of Orchard Hill Drive, to continue receiving counseling for gambling addiction and to perform 100 hours of community service.
If Dreyer gets in trouble in the next year, he could be resentenced to up to one year in jail.
Prosecutors said Dreyer has made full restitution and has no prior criminal record.
His stepdaughter, in a letter to the judge, said she has forgiven Dreyer and wants to move on with her life, according to prosecutors.
At sentencing, Dreyer apologized to his family for his actions.
Dreyer pleaded guilty in December to a reduced charge of attempted fourth-degree grand larceny, a misdemeanor, in the theft, which occurred between Jan. 1, 2013 and July 31, 2013. He was originally charged with third-degree grand larceny, a felony.
Dreyer used a debit card linked to the benefit fund to take the money, prosecutors said. He was one of two signers on the fund, which was set up in 2012 when his stepdaughter was 17.
Erie County Judge Kenneth F. Case ordered Daniel Dreyer, 53, of Orchard Hill Drive, to continue receiving counseling for gambling addiction and to perform 100 hours of community service.
If Dreyer gets in trouble in the next year, he could be resentenced to up to one year in jail.
Prosecutors said Dreyer has made full restitution and has no prior criminal record.
His stepdaughter, in a letter to the judge, said she has forgiven Dreyer and wants to move on with her life, according to prosecutors.
At sentencing, Dreyer apologized to his family for his actions.
Dreyer pleaded guilty in December to a reduced charge of attempted fourth-degree grand larceny, a misdemeanor, in the theft, which occurred between Jan. 1, 2013 and July 31, 2013. He was originally charged with third-degree grand larceny, a felony.
Dreyer used a debit card linked to the benefit fund to take the money, prosecutors said. He was one of two signers on the fund, which was set up in 2012 when his stepdaughter was 17.