Carina Borja, a bookkeeper and the founder of Seattle's Animals First Foundation, could face nearly 3 1/2 years in prison when she is sentenced next week for nine counts of first-degree theft.

Borja, 45, embezzled $530,000 from two clients of her bookkeeping service between February 2007 and August 2008, according to charging documents filed in King County Superior Court. She later told the clients that she needed the money to help animals impacted by Hurricane Katrina, the documents said.

Borja had been given permission from her clients to transfer funds from their brokerage account to their checking account, charging papers said. The clients did not learn about the missing funds until receiving a call from their accountant, who wanted to let them know that their tax payment had not been paid.

King County prosecutors charged Borja with 15 counts of first-degree theft in February 2009. Borja pleaded guilty to nine counts last Thursday; she was ordered to pay $530,000 in restitution, according to plea paperwork.

Prosecutors will ask a judge to sentence Borja to 3 1/2 years in prison when she returns to court for sentencing on Aug. 13, according to court paperwork.

Animals First Foundation could not be reached for comment Tuesday morning.