35-Month Term in Schools Theft, and a Message

Belton also had five racks filled with new shoes and boots, prosecutors said. The bedroom-turned-closet had an industrial-size clothing rack often found in department stores, and many of the clothes still had their price tags. Investigators also found 60 large trash bags full of clothes in Belton's basement.

People who know Belton said that many of the purses were designer knockoffs and that the bags of clothes were intended for charity.

As if trying to understand how Belton, who obtained a doctorate in education primarily through government grants, could steal money targeted primarily for programs aiding inner-city students, Urbina asked her: "What were you thinking?"

Belton, standing at a podium, spoke of her dedication to education and her remorse. She said she had contemplated suicide since her arrest.

"This is not who I am," she said. "I wasn't trying to come up with a scheme. . . . I found myself in a situation where I was trying to cover. I did one thing after another and found myself lying. I don't know what was going through my mind."

Urbina said he was "very unimpressed" with her response.

He did give Belton a break by permitting her to remain free until January.

Belton's attorney, Vincent H. Cohen Jr., said she had cooperated with the authorities since the allegations came to light last year, adding that she plans to serve her sentence "with dignity and looks forward to making a positive contribution to the community upon her release."

Cohen asked Urbina to recommend that Belton be evaluated by the prison's drug and alcohol abuse program.

Belton's family and friends, including her sister, daughter and ministers, filled three rows of seating at the sentencing. Many said they hoped Urbina would show Belton leniency, considering her role as an educator.

"It's a waste of resources putting her in jail," said Lafayette Seymour, a minister at Belton's church, the District-based Unity Center of Truth. "She would do more good if she were granted time served and were allowed to return to help the children with her skills and education."

Urbina disagreed. In his final words to Belton, a D.C. native, he further voiced his ire. "You created a legacy of distrust among parents, children and D.C. taxpayers," he said. "This city deserves better. If you don't understand that, who does?"