Woman Who Called Michelle Obama 'Ape in Heels' Sentenced to Federal Prison for Embezzlement

A West Virginia official who once called Michelle Obama an "ape in heels' has been convicted of defrauding a government agency.

Per NBC News, Pamela Taylor, who served as the director of the Clay County Development Corporation, was found guilty of embezzling over $18,000 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. She will serve 10 months in federal prison and two months of house arrest, and is mandated to pay a $10,000 fine (she has already paid back the illegally obtained funds in restitution).

Taylor previously admitted to falsifying documents to secure the money following a flood in Clay County, a disaster which claimed 23 lives. In a statement, U.S. Attorney Mike Stuart decounced her actions, saying, "Taylor's fraudulent scheme took FEMA dollars away from those who needed it the most. Federal disaster benefits are critical to rebuilding infrastructure, homes and lives — not for lining the pockets of individuals who suffered no loss."

The former non-profit director made national headlines in 2016, after making a racist comment about the most admired woman in America. Following Donald Trump's election, Taylor took to Facebook and wrote, "It will be refreshing to have a classy, beautiful, dignified First Lady in the White House. I'm tired of seeing [sic] a Ape in heels." Beverly Whaling, who was the county's mayor at the time, responded by saying, "Just made my day Pam."

Following the disparaging remarks, public condemnation led to both Taylor and Whaling being removed from their respective roles. About a month later, the CCDC director was reinstated after apologizing, as she claimed several death threats amounted to a"hate crime against me."