The attorney for Christine Mahar, the Niles woman who pleaded guilty last week to embezzlement by a public official, is disputing the prosecution’s claim that his client stole nearly $25,000 from Howard Township.

Attorney Daniel J. French said Mahar, 45, admitted to taking only $80 in the form of a cash tax payment by a citizen.

She pleaded guilty Sept. 17 in Cass County Court to one count of embezzlement of more than $50 by a public official after being arraigned on that same charge Sept. 8.

Cass County Assistant Prosecutor Tiffiny Vohwinkle contends that the amount taken was much greater and said her office is requesting that Mahar pay $24,480.82 in restitution.

Mahar worked as an office assistant for Howard Township for the past 12 years, but was dismissed from her job when township employees discovered discrepancies in township financial records and turned the case over to the Michigan State Police Aug. 12.

French said his client should have to pay the $80 she admitted to taking — not the $24,480.82 figure sought by the prosecutor’s office and provided to the Niles Daily Star for a story Sept. 18.

The dispute, French said, involves health insurance reimbursements for Howard Township employees. .

French said Howard Township was writing Mahar checks for health insurance and that she was not spending it on health insurance.

“Once they cut the check and give it to her, I’m not sure they have any strings over that,” French said. “I think she could choose to put the money in the bank and wait for herself to get sick and spend it on herself when she’s sick — I don’t know. That is why the figure is still in dispute.”

Howard Township Treasurer Linda Rudlaff confirmed that the township reimburses its employees for health insurance payments. She said employees are issued a check for a set amount per month and that the employees are expected to use that money for making health insurance payments.

Vohwinkle said the amount of restitution requested by her office includes money embezzled through multiple means, not just the health insurance reimbursement payments.

French said, to his knowledge, the $24,480.82 amount accounts only for health insurance reimbursement payments made to his client.

A hearing will be scheduled at a later date to determine how much Mahar will have to pay in restitution.

The sentencing hearing has yet to be scheduled, but will take place in Cass County Court in front of Judge Michael Dodge.