Ex-treasurer of Parkinson Foundation’s OC chapter admits embezzlement; gets 6 months in jail

NEWPORT BEACH — A former treasurer of the National Parkinson Foundation’s Orange County chapter pleaded guilty Wednesday to embezzling from the organization and was immediately sentenced to six months in jail.

Judith Louise Woodhouse, 53, of Irvine, pleaded guilty to grand theft and four counts of fraudulent use of a credit card, all felonies. She also admitted sentencing enhancements for aggravated white collar crime between $100,000 to $500,000.

As part of the plea deal, 41 counts of fraudulent use of a credit card, five counts of forgery and three counts of money laundering were dismissed along with sentencing enhancements for property loss in excess of $200,000.

Woodhouse was ordered to pay about $91,000 in restitution. She must report to jail on March 15, according to Deputy District Attorney Nagy Morcos.

Woodhouse was appointed the chapter’s treasurer in May 2008. She produced bogus reports of the chapter’s finances to its board members, according to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.

In 2014, the organization’s officials noted multiple discrepancies while looking through bank statements and alerted Irvine police. Woodhouse was arrested in July 2017.