COLONIE-The former chief financial officer for the New York State Nurses Association who allegedly embezzled more than $1 million from the organization over the past four years has been sentenced to 3 1/3 to 10 years in prison.

John Daley, 46, of Latham, has also been ordered to make restitution to the state's largest nursing group.

Daley pleaded guilty Friday to second degree larceny before Albany County Judge Thomas Breslin, admitting that he had forged over a 100 checks during the past four years and then intercepted bank statements, removing copies of the checks made payable to himself and reconciling the statements.

Daley admitted stealing $1.2 million between Jan. 1, 2002, and May 30, 2006. He could have been sentenced up to 25 years in prison.

Daley was fired last June after the theft was found. He had worked for the association for about five years. His attorney said that Daley has started to make restitution and blamed his client's actions on side effects from the prescription drug Paxil.

The group, which represents nurses in New York and New Jersey facilities,, has about 34,000 members and has offices in Latham. 3-30-07

© 2007 North Country Gazette