(MyKeeneNow) – A former office manager for The Dartmouth, Dartmouth College’s student newspaper, was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison for embezzling over $223,000 from the publication, officials announced. Nicole Chambers, 41, of Springfield, Vermont, was convicted of wire fraud after admitting to stealing the money over a four-year period.

Chambers, who worked for The Dartmouth between 2012 and 2021, abused her position by transferring funds from the newspaper’s PayPal, Venmo, and debit card accounts for personal use. The embezzlement, which took place from 2017 to 2021, allowed Chambers to finance trips within the U.S. and to the Caribbean, as well as purchase luxury items, including a 12-inch memory foam mattress and bedframe. She also used the funds to pay nearly $2,000 in legal fees for her husband’s court case.

U.S. District Court Chief Judge Landya McCafferty sentenced Chambers to 15 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and she has to pay back the money. During the hearing, prosecutors emphasized that Chambers’ actions were driven by personal greed.

“The Dartmouth entrusted her with their finances, and she betrayed that trust for personal gain,” said U.S. Attorney Jane Young. “She lived well beyond her means, using the nonprofit’s money to fund her lifestyle.”

FBI Special Agent Jodi Cohen, who led the investigation, echoed those sentiments, warning that financial fraud like Chambers’ ultimately leads to prison.

The case was investigated by the FBI’s Boston Division, with assistance from the Hanover Police Department and Grafton County Attorney’s Office.