Abingdon Civic Leader Pleads Guilty To Stealing From Doctor

ABINGDON, Va. – A civic leader pleaded guilty this morning to stealing thousands of dollars from a local doctor.
Bertha Jean Neal, 63, is a local businesswoman and was a regional Kiwanis leader before her criminal charges came to light in February. Neal pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement, two counts of obtaining money by false pretenses, and 17 counts of forgery. She will serve three months in jail, a Washington County prosecutor said.
Neal racked up the charges during the time she worked as secretary and bookkeeper for longtime Abingdon physician Dr. Sam Miller.
In a March interview, Neal said that family medical expenses drove her to steal, calling the act “sickening.” She vowed to make restitution.
Read Thursday’s Bristol Herald Courier for details.