LOS ANGELES—The retired principal of a Catholic elementary school in Torrance, who as a nun took a vow of poverty, was sentenced Feb. 7 to 12 months and a day behind bars for embezzling more than $835,000 in school funds to support a gambling habit and other personal expenses. Mary Margaret Kreuper, 80, of Los Angeles, was also ordered to pay $825,338 in restitution, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Kreuper pleaded guilty in July to federal wire fraud and money laundering charges. After charges were filed, her attorneys issued a statement saying Sister Mary Margaret suffered “from mental illness that clouded her judgment and caused her to do something that she otherwise would not have done. She is very sorry for any harm she has caused.” Kreuper acknowledged that for a period of 10 years ending in September 2018, she embezzled $835,339 from St. James Catholic School. As principal—a …