ST. JOSEPH — Former Berrien County Commissioner Bob Wooley was sentenced to nearly three years in prison for embezzling money from an area senior center.

On Monday, a Berrien County Judge sentenced Wooley to a minimum of 34 months and a maximum of 20 years on the most serious count of felony embezzlement of more than $100,000.

Assistant Prosecutor Jennifer Smith said the sentence was appropriate, taking into consideration Wooley’s lack of prior record, the good he had done for the community and the need for punishment for his crimes.

“With regard to the (North Berrien) Senior Center, the amount taken was at least $317,000, which could have and may still greatly impact their organization,” Smith said. “Hopefully his punishment will serve as a deterrent to other people serving in fiduciary positions.”

Wooley was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $317,000 to the North Berrien Senior Center. Smith said restitution has been reserved on the North Berrien Fire and Rescue Board as Wooley is disputing part of it. No hearing date on has been set yet.

While Smith said Wooley never directly said why he was embezzling money, Smith said the prosecutor’s office knows Wooley spent a great deal of money at the casino.

“His attorney acknowledged his gambling addiction, so I’m assuming that is where all of the money went,” Smith said.

Wooley, who served as commissioner representing District 1 for 16 years, was charged with embezzlement in December after a Michigan State Police investigation revealed that he had taken more than $150,000 from the North Berrien Senior Center from 2007 to 2014. Wooley was the senior center’s director during the time of the offense.

Wooley was also charged with attempted embezzlement over $20,000 but less than $50,000 for taking money from the North Berrien Fire and Rescue Board.

Wooley pleaded guilty in March to both charges and resigned from the board of commissioners.

Smith said Wooley also pleaded guilty to contempt for violating condition of his bond by leaving the state. The court sentenced him to one day in jail for that charge.