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Nonprofit Says Former Director To Pay $869K To Settle Suit

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The group Lay Mission-Helpers says its former director of development has agreed to pay more than $869,000 to settle an embezzlement lawsuit it brought against him.

Lay Mission-Helpers' Los Angeles attorney, Steven Garber, announced the settlement Friday.

The nonprofit seeks to provide medical, educational and other assistance to under-served people living in Africa, Asia, Latin American and the South Pacific.

It sued Charles T. Sebesta earlier this year, alleging he committed fraud and embezzlement.

Sebesta did not immediately return a voicemail message Friday.

In June, he and his former assistant, Christine Lynn Rowe, pleaded not guilty to stealing $180,000 from the organization.

Prosecutors say the money was to go to a business that was to help the group with charity fundraising.

They say it was diverted to Sebesta's account instead.

(© Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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