Former Valley Cruisers treasurer sentenced to six years

The former treasurer of the Valley Cruisers Car Club was sentenced Monday to six years in Nevada State Prison for the theft of nearly $10,000 from the classic car club.

District Judge Michael Gibbons ordered Pamela Mikulski, 35, of Carson City to serve 16 months before she is eligible for probation.

Club officials believe the thefts began a year ago while Mikulski was on probation for a similar offense from 2005.

"I am particularly appalled you would start stealing when you just did that jail time (from the prior) and were on probation," Gibbons said. "When there are repeat offenses, the court has to question whether there'll ever be a change.

"You're not a good candidate for probation, your record is too severe. You did hurt a lot of people in this community."

About 40 members of the Valley Cruisers attended the sentencing.

Club President Michael Rowe said the club would recoup its losses, but Mikulski's theft of $9,762.76 deprived needy community members who benefit from the club's donations to the Carson Valley Community Food Closet, Project Santa and City of Refuge for pregnant women.

"The people who suffered are the people we can't give the money to," Rowe said. "The club has heard no apology, no remorse, no attempt to repay us anything."

Rowe said club members were committed to making up the loss. An Embezzlement Rummage Sale on April 26 raised $1,400, he said.

Mikulski said she sent no apology because she was advised not to contact club members while the case was pending. She pledged to repay the money.

Turning to face the audience, Mikulski read a letter of apology. She said she realized she had an addiction to gambling in November and had been undergoing treatment and attending Gamblers Anonymous.

"Life has a way of pointing things out to you. My actions were extremely selfish. I am grateful to Gamblers Anonymous," she read. "My actions here hurt many people. I deeply regret it."

Gibbons ordered Mikulski's $2,500 bail money turned over to the club.

"I'm totally in the wrong," she said. "I want to do whatever I can to make amends."

Gibbons rejected a request to delay imposition of the sentence while Mikulski awaits test results for a kidney disease. He also refused to give her two days to get her affairs in order.

"The jail will make a note of your special medical needs," he said.