South Portland woman who stole half a million dollars sentenced to 90 days in jail

A South Portland woman who stole half a million dollars from her former friend and employer was sentenced Monday to 90 days in prison.

Theresa York, 59, is accused of stealing from her former boss. Sofia Aldinio/Staff Photographer

Theresa York, 60, pleaded guilty to theft in Cumberland County Superior Court and admitted to stealing at least $500,000 from her friend and Portland dental clinic owner, Pamela Anzelc.

The money was intended to pay her business's federal taxes between 2016 and 2021, but Anzelc said she learned that the checks she signed to pay the clinic's taxes were actually deposited into York's personal account. York also shredded IRS notices and falsified financial records.

Monday's sentencing came after a judge in August voided a plea agreement prosecutors reached with York because it did not provide for prison time. After the hearing, Anzelc agreed with Superior Court Judge Nancy Mills that sending York to prison would “send a message” that the theft was wrong.

An attorney for York did not respond to messages Monday afternoon seeking to discuss the sentence. According to court documents, York has until January 2, 2025 to report to prison.

The two have known each other for over 20 years.

“She would come in with a smile and pretend she was there as my right hand,” Anzelc said in an interview last year. “And all the time she was robbing me blind.”

Pamela Anzelc at her camp in North Waterboro in August 2023. Anzelc said Theresa York, a former friend and employee, stole at least half a million dollars from her dental office. Brianna Soukup/Staff Photographer

In April 2021, Anzelc was on vacation with her grandsons when she found that the IRS had frozen all of her bank accounts, telling her that she owed more than $465,000 in federal taxes. At the time, she was worried about the payroll of her nine employees. She said she had to take out a half-million-dollar loan to pay her taxes.

The last time she heard from York was a text message signed with a “kiss face,” Anzelc said last year.

“At dinner. Sorry. This is just crazy! I'm freaking out too,” Anzelc said via text message to York. “I'm going to go online and take a close look as soon as I can.”

York and Anzelc previously agreed in August 2021, as part of a civil settlement, that York would reimburse the dentist $475,000 in monthly installments of $2,000. Under the terms of his probation, York will also be required to complete a problem gambling assessment and counseling and allow the probation officer access to all of his financial accounts.

If she violates the terms of her probation, York will have to serve a full six years in prison.

Copy story link

” Previous