DC Tax Scandal Ringleader Gets More Than 17 Years

WASHINGTON, DC (WUSA) -- Harriette Walters, the woman who pulled off the single biggest government heist in history, was sentenced to 17 1/2 years in prison.

Walters, a former DC tax office manager, pleaded guilty in September to wire fraud, money laundering and other charges and has been in jail since her arrest in 2007.

Federal Judge Emmet Sullivan could have given her 18 years under a plea agreement. He gave her six months less for her cooperation with the investigation.

Walters told the judge, "I accept full responsibility for my actions. I stand before you in full repentance".

Prosecutors said it was greed that caused the 52-year-old middle manager to embezzle small sums and then as much as a half million at a time over nearly 18 years. In all, she embezzled nearly $50 million.

Walters said other office co-workers were unaware of her theft, although prosecutors say many got expensive gifts and large sums of cash from Walters.

At least 30 tax office workers were fired or transferred after the scandal. Ten other people, mostly family and recruited accomplices of Walters, have already been sentenced in the case.