Property manager Shannon Howard stole more than $100K intended for rent

Authorities say a former property manager has pleaded guilty to stealing $110,000 that was supposed to pay for rent at a Union City apartment complex.

Shannon Denise Howard, 43, entered a guilty plea to one count of theft by taking. She was sentenced to five years in prison and five years' probation.

Howard was an on-site property manager for Oakley Woods Apartments. During a routine audit in 2012, auditors for Elon Property Management noticed discrepancies between recorded rent payments and the actual amount deposited into the apartment's bank account.

When questioned about the results of the audit, Howard excused herself to tend to a "sick child" and never retued.

She was later arrested.

The theft reportedly occurred over a period of just six months.

According to her plea agreement, Howard must pay back all of the money, in addition to serving her prison sentence.