May.28, 2010, 06:53:33 AM PDT, Source: The Associated Press

SANTA ANA, Calif.—An Orange County lawyer who helped embezzle nearly $625,000 from Kia Motors America has been sentenced to four years in prison.

Mel Campbell of Laguna Niguel was sentenced Thursday after pleading guilty to receiving stolen property and money laundering. He's already spent nearly four years in prison and will be released on June 5.

Prosecutors say the money was stolen in 2002 from Irvine-based Kia. They say Campbell's ex-wife, Cecile, worked in the accounting department and created a fake order to pay duty fees for imported cars. Her brother set up a bank account to launder the money, which authorities say the Campbells used to pay off a line of equity on their house.

Cecile Campbell and Long Ngoc Ho pleaded guilty to various charges and await sentencing.