AUSTIN — A former Mower County employee who a decade ago embezzled tens of thousands of dollars in public funds was convicted of felony theft on Friday in Mower County District Court.

Cheryl Lynn Barrett, 54, of Austin, and a former public health employee,was sentenced to 45 days in jail, five years’ supervised probation and must pay $4,100 in restitution.

The charge alleged she allowed others to steal items from Apollo Superette while she was working there from 2010 to 2012. An officer spoke to Barrett at Apollo after she was fired. After several months, officers reviewed video surveillance of Barrett allowing others to take cigarettes, gum, chicken, drinks, candy and lottery tickets.

Barrett later admitted to an officer that she allowed others to steal $401.98 worth of items over a five-day period, according to the court complaint. The complaint adds Barrett also admitted to stealing about $3,700 worth of cigarettes over a 27-month period.

In 2002, Barrett was convicted of felony embezzlement of public funds after she pleaded guilty. While she avoided prison time, she was ordered to pay more than $55,000 in restitution.