The former chief financial officer of an Orchard Park nursing home admitted Friday that she embezzled more than $163,000 to pay off gambling and divorce-related expenses.

Rhonda Skiver, 32, of Gail Road, Village of Cattaraugus in Cattaraugus County, pleaded guilty before Erie County Judge Sheila A. DiTullio to a charge of second-degree grand larceny.

DiTullio refused to give Skiver a sentencing commitment on a charge that carries a possible prison term of up to 15 years. But with the approval of prosecutors, the judge allowed her to remain free without bail until her May 17 sentencing.

Skiver stole from the Absolut Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation, formerly known as The Waters of Orchard Park nursing home, between December of 2005 and last April. She had worked at the Armor Road facility for 10 years but was fired after being questioned about petty cash problems at the nursing home.

John C. Doscher, chief of the Erie County District Attorney’s Special Investigations Bureau, said Skiver will sign confessions of judgment agreeing to be legally liable for the full restitution to both corporate owners of the nursing home.

The prosecutor told the judge the exact amount of the court-ordered restitution is the subject of negotiations with the nursing home’s corporate insurance carriers.

Skiver declined to comment as she left court about 3:30 p. m. Her lawyer, Joseph A. Agro, said Skiver saw her financial problems “spiral out of control” after she suffered a miscarriage and her marriage failed, leaving her with a heavy debt load.

Doscher said Skiver also embezzled funds to pay gambling debts.

Erie County District Attorney Frank A. Sedita III and Doscher said Skiver pleaded guilty to the highest criminal charge a grand jury could have lodged against her for her embezzlement.