The former controller of a Lawrence sign company was sentenced Monday to serve two years in federal prison for stealing from the business and then damaging the company’s computer system in an attempt to cover up the thefts.

Barbra James, 40 of Lenexa, pleaded guilty in September to one count of exceeding authorized access to protected computers and intentionally causing more than $5,000 in damage.

According to her plea agreement, James accessed the company’s computer server in March 2005 to delete software that handled the company’s accounting, as well as 18,000 computer files. Prosecutors said the company’s server had to be rebuilt and caused a loss of $105,604 to the company, 801 E. Ninth St.

She confessed it was part of a scheme to use the company’s computer accounting software to falsely increase her salary.

U.S. District Judge John Lungstrum also ordered James to pay restitution of $60,962 to the company and $44,641 to Clarendon America Insurance Company.

Lungstrum recommended she be placed in a minimum security facility near St. Louis. James also must serve three years probation upon her release.