Brenda S. Grubbs, the former Goochland County treasurer who pleaded guilty to 20 counts of embezzlement in August, was given a 40-year sentence, with 36 years suspended, by Goochland Circuit Court Judge Timothy K. Sanner Dec. 13.

Grubbs embezzled about $180,000 of county money while involved with an internet scammer, making numerous wire transfers to an overseas contact. She could have been sentenced to more than 400 years, and several of the people interviewed for this story thought that serving just four years wasn’t long enough.

“It’s not fair. She should have gotten more time,” said Mary Britton. “I understand she has a hard working family and her husband stood by her. What she did, she did to us all. I think she got off real light.”

Sonya Jones had some sympathy for Grubbs.

“She was the victim of an internet scammer,” Jones said. “Some people are more susceptible to that sort of thing than others. It doesn’t change the fact that she stole the money, should have to pay it back and deserved some jail time. I’m sure the judge was as fair as he could be. She could have gotten a lot more time.”

Martisa Morris believes Grubb’s sentence was too much.

“I think four years is a little harsh for what she did,” Morris said. “I think the judge took it easy on her, but still, four years is a long time. I think she should have to pay all of the money back, and I really feel bad for her family and friends.”

Donna Morrison also thought Grubbs got off easy.

“Four years for what she did is like a slap on the wrist,” Morrison said. “She should have to pay the money back, and she should have been sentenced to a much longer term. My heart really goes out to her family.”

Phil White’s family owns Patriot Motor Sports, and he was asked to answer the question about Grubb’s sentence from the standpoint of a business owner.

“Personally, I am insulted by the situation,” White said. “What she did, she did to everybody in the county, including herself, her family and the people who trusted her enough to put her in office.”

“I believe in the Virginia judicial system,” he added. “I don’t believe the sentence she received is as harsh as it could have been. We have situations where people are convicted of lesser crimes and get a lot more time. I believe the judge did was what he thought was fair and right, and now she has four years to think about what she did to everybody.”

Like all of the other people who commented, White said Grubbs should pay back the money she stole.

“The $60,000 in her retirement fund that she returned to the county should have automatically been taken the minute she pled guilty,” he said. “She stole from everyone in this
county, and even though I feel for her family, I believe she has an obligation to pay back all that she stole.”

Editors Note:
Grubbs has made arrangements to turn over about $60,000 from her VRS retirement account (the entire balance) and an additional $40,000 to the Virginia State Treasurer.

Her sentence requires her to pay the remaining $80,000 back upon release from prison on a payment schedule to be coordinated by her probation officer.

Goochland County has already been reimbursed for the money embezzled by its bond on Grubbs.

Britton

Jones

Morris

Morrison

White