A Lehighton woman admitted in Carbon County court on Thursday to stealing over $3,000 from the lottery fund where she worked.

Michelle Muthard, 38, pleaded to one count of theft by deception for an incident reported on May 3.

The owners of Dunbar Bottling, 202 Main Lane, reported to Lehighton police they suspected an employee, Muthard, had taken funds from the lottery fund at their business. The incident came to light when Muthard fraudulently put a transaction for the return of two kegs of beer in the lottery fund, when in fact, no kegs were returned. That prompted an audit of the lottery fund. Found missing was $3,349.

Muthard apologized for her actions.

President Judge Roger N. Nanovic II placed her on probation for two years and ordered her to make restitution for the $3,249, pay court costs of about $1,000 and pay a $50 per month supervision fee.

He ordered her to make minimum payments of $100 a month on the restitution, but added it must be paid in full by the end of the probation period.