Gardena Chamber of Commerce theft case postponed

A preliminary hearing was postponed today for the former Gardena Chamber of Commerce executive director who is accused of embezzling more than $40,000 from her employer. Karen Sue Hale, 53, from Lawndale, will return to Torrance Superior Court Sept. 3.
Her attorney asked Judge William Beverly for the continuance because he said he just received new information from prosecutors.

In addition, Gardena police Detective Todd Fox told Beverly that he had information that Hale has, on a number of occasions, possibly violated a protective order filed against her by employees and volunteers of the Chamber. Beverly warned Hale that each violation of the order could land her in jail for six months. Hale, who worked for the non-profit organization for six years, was arrested after board members discovered missing money in November.