Long-time Steelville School District board secretary and bookkeeper Crystal Bouse is reportedly being investigated for an alleged embezzlement of school funds.
Although officials with the district would not confirm that Bouse is the subject of the investigation, Superintendent Nathan Holder did say a district employee has been placed on unpaid leave pending the results of an investigation being conducted by the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Numerous sources with close ties to the district have said that Bouse is that employee.
A statement from the superintendent’s office released Monday reported that on Tuesday, Dec. 21, the district was informed by the Highway Patrol of a possible criminal situation wherein a district employee was allegedly stealing school funds.
“The employee was immediately removed from the district and access to district technology was terminated,” Holder reported in a prepared statement. “The district is cooperating with law enforcement to investigate the allegations and to ensure that, if any district funds were taken, all such funds are returned.”
Holder added that the district maintains a bond on all of its employees. The district’s bonding company has been notified and Holder was assured the district will not suffer a loss of funds.
“As the investigation proceeds, we will notify our patrons and media,” Holder said.
Holder added that the district is strongly considering a forensic audit that would provide much more detail into its financial practices. Such an audit would entail a thorough investigation, providing a broader depth of information about the district’s policies and procedures related to school funds.
Charges have yet to be filed as a result of the investigation, which remains ongoing. As of Tuesday, Bouse was still listed on the school’s website as the board secretary and district bookkeeper.
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