Former official sentenced to probation for embezzlement

BRUNSWICK - A former official of the Coastal Georgia Regional Development Center who admitted embezzling money from state aging agencies was sentenced Thursday to six months house arrest and five years of probation. <br> <br> Rhonda Jones, who was director of aging services for the coastal agency, also was ordered to repay $22,200. <br> <br> Jones admitted writing checks to herself between Nov. 1, 1997, and Nov. 30, 2000, when she was treasurer of the Georgia Association of Area Agencies on Aging. The association&#39;s member agencies are located throughout the state, and as treasurer Jones had sole authority to write checks, FBI Special Agent Tony Alig said. <br> <br> U.S. District Judge Anthony A. Alaimo warned Jones that she must abide by the terms of her probation, which includes restitution payments of $416 a month, or risk being sent to prison.