Murray woman pleads guilty to theft charges

A Murray woman accepted a plea verdict to theft charges late last week.

The Murray Sentinel reported Friday 53-year-old Leslie Lockhard pleaded guilty last Thursday to 23 counts of forgery, theft of identity and an amended charge of theft by unlawful taking under $ 10,000 with the last count dismissed.

Lockhart was arrested February 3rd of last year after an investigation determined Lockart had stolen hundreds of thousands of dollars from Maria Judy, an elderly woman for whom she served as both a financial assistant and part-time caregiver

According to the complaint, financial discrepancies were discovered by Judy’s heirs following her death in December 2024. The investigation uncovered 20 forged checks and multiple unauthorized transactions from Judy’s investment accounts.

Under the plea agreement, Lockhart will serve five years on one count and three years on the other to run consecutively, plus one year each on the other 23 counts to run concurrently for a total prison term of eight years.  Lockhart will also pay $300,000 restitution to Maria Judy's estate.  

Sentencing for Lockhart is scheduled for April 20th.

story source/photo:  The Murray Sentinel