PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — A Rhode Island lawyer has been arrested and charged with embezzling nearly $145,000 from an elderly client, and police say some of the money may have been gambled away at casinos in Connecticut.

State Police Maj. Michael Winquist says 52-yearold Janet A. Mastronardi (mas-troh-NAR'-dee) of Warwick was arrested Wednesday and released on $10,000 personal recognizance.

Mastronardi did not immediately return a message left at her law office in East Greenwich.

Police say Mastronardi was an appointed guardian for the client. She allegedly closed two of the client’s investment accounts in 2010, deposited the money in bank accounts, and then wrote 25 checks to herself over the next 11 months.