WASHINGTON - The ringleader of the biggest embezzlement scheme in D.C. history was sentenced to 17.5 years behind bars Tuesday.

Harriette Walters, 52, pleaded guilty in September to wire fraud, money laundering and other charges and has been in jail since her arrest in 2007.  She and her co-conspirators stole an estimated $48.1 million from the D.C. Office of Tax and Revenue, where she worked as a manager, over more than two decades.

U.S. District Judge Emmet G. Sullivan handed down the sentence Tuesday. He ordered Walters to pay about $64 million in restitution, including the stolen funds and taxes owed.

Prosecutors told the judge the city might recover $10 million.

"We've seized houses. We've seized items of personal value, like the purses, the watches, the diamonds," said Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Lynch.

Before her sentence, Walters told the judge she has warned the city and accountants that unless big systemic changes are made, others could repeat her scheme and write themselves checks. 

She recalled how the city sent auditors to the D.C. jail last year from Price Waterhouse to talk with her about preventing future fraud. Walters claims she told them that without changing the accounting control, it's just a matter of time.

The plea agreement called for Walters to serve 15 to 18 years in prison. Walters also received three years probation.

Walters' attorney has said that his client considered herself a "benefactor" as she gave money to others.

Prosectors described Walters as "extraordinarily greedy."

"Just the tonnage of conspicuous consumption items found in her house," said Lynch. "Some of them had new tags on them -- she hadn't even gotten around to using them."

Ten other people have been sentenced to prison in the scheme.

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