Former Victoria’s Bridal owner fined $1,600

A former Victoria’s Bridal owner convicted in Cole County of felony stealing was fined $1,600 on Wednesday, but will avoid jail time.

Cole County Judge Daniel Richard Green found Ann Metternich guilty of felony stealing on Oct. 14. Green fined Metternich on Wednesday, and Metternich’s defense attorney indicates he’ll appeal.

Green reviewed the case for about six months before he ruled in October. Metternich was charged in Cole County with one count of felony theft. Metternich waived a trial by jury in March, and her bench trial began in April.

ABC 17 News began investigating Victoria’s Bridal in October 2014. The indictment that was returned in Cole County Circuit Court said Metternich “appropriated tuxedos and pants of a value of at least $500, which property was owned by and provided by Anderson’s Formal Wear, and the defendant appropriated such property without the consent of Anderson’s Formal Wear and with the purpose to deprive him thereof.”

ABC 17’s Joe McLean was in Cole County Circuit Court for Wednesday’s sentencing hearing. We’ll have more details Wednesday evening on ABC 17 News.