BROOKINGS — A man who pleaded guilty to stealing nearly $25,000 from a local charity will serve 75 days in the county jail for the crime as well as make full restitution.

Nicholas Kleven, 46, was also sentenced to four years in the state penitentiary by Judge Dawn Elshere, but the execution of that sentence was suspended.

“Mr. Kleven, your attorney has explained the hole you got yourself in, but that is not an excuse for stealing from an entity that was set up because two little girls died. You were deceitful,” Elshere told Kleven before imposing sentence.

“Making full restitution here today is the only thing saving you from going to prison today. You did not tell anyone about this, and you made no effort to pay this back until you got caught.”

Kleven’s attorney, Manuel De Castro, said Kleven would make full restitution — $24,966.42 —  by the close of business Wednesday. He said his client was employed in Brookings and asked for county jail time and work release to allow him to keep his job.

“This is one of these cases, he knows and understands that he broke a trust here. He got himself into a situation where he was drinking and gambling and that led to this. He has submitted to an evaluation and done counseling. But he understands he broke that trust and he’s here today to make it right,” De Castro said.

Kleven had served as treasurer of the Loban Memorial Foundation. He pleaded guilty July 17 to embezzling nearly $25,000 from the charity over a period of more than three years.

Kleven was arrested for stealing from the Loban Memorial Foundation in December after the charity asked the Brookings Police Department to investigate its finances. 

The foundation was established after sisters Ashley Loban, 17, and Amanda Loban, 10, were killed in a traffic accident on May 22, 2006, southeast of Brookings while on their way to school. 

A BPD investigation found Kleven embezzled more than $14,000 from the foundation, according to a police release at the time.

Kleven was also fined $800, ordered to pay his fine and costs, remain law abiding and submit to a mental health evaluation. He was also ordered to complete 75 hours of community service, not to consume any alcohol or drugs and not to gamble.

Linehan is the Register’s managing editor and welcomes tips and comments at jlinehan@brookingsregister.com.