PORTLAND (AP) — A Portland woman awaits sentencing after being convicted of embezzling more than $330,000 from a Chinese company that planned to invest in a Baileyville paper mill.

Jody Flynn was convicted by a Cumberland County jury last week.

Prosecutors said the 61-year-old Flynn formed Greentree Renewable Energy Inc. to facilitate the mill’s sale.

Authorities said she took a $500,000 investment and spent most of the money in 2009 and 2010 on her daughter’s college tuition, a car, and jewelry.

The mill’s owner later decided not to sell, and the Chinese company asked that most of the investment be returned.

Flynn’s attorney told the Portland Press Herald the complicated case should have been decided in civil court and there was no criminal activity.

Flynn is scheduled to be sentenced Aug. 29.

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