FROM LSJ.COM -
The treasurer of a Holt school employees’ union was charged with felony embezzlement after authorities contend she stole more than $30,000 in dues.
Michelle Paulette Placer, 38, was arrested Tuesday and later released on bond from the Ingham County Jail, according to a statement from the Ingham County sheriff’s office.
Placer is alleged to have taken the money, intended for the Michigan Education Association, for her use while serving as treasurer of the Holt Paraeducator Association, sheriff’s officials said. An initial complaint was lodged with the department’s Delhi division in December. The county prosecutor’s office authorized charges Tuesday.
Her next court date is pending.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Stolz embezzlement trial delayed again in California
FROM REDDING.COM -
Next month’s trial for a Redding School District librarian accused of embezzling and stealing from a school parent club was delayed again today in Shasta County Superior Court to Dec. 6.
Wanell Stolz, 52, arrested in August 2010 at her Redding home and charged with grand theft and embezzlement, had been due to begin trial on Aug. 9.
But Superior Court Judge James Ruggiero was told today that a prosecution witness will be unable to testify at next month’s trial because she has just had major surgery.
In addition, Deputy District Attorney Erin Dervin, who is prosecuting the case, is expected to be in another embezzlement trial at the time the Stolz trial was due to start, attorneys said.
Criminal defense attorney Joe Gazzigli, who represents Stolz, said he was not opposed to the continuance.
In addition to the new trial date, a trial readiness conference was scheduled for Dec. 2, while a settlement conference was slated for Nov. 7.
Originally scheduled for March, the trial was delayed until May and delayed again until August.
Stolz, who is free on her own recognizance, is accused of embezzling about $13,400 from the Sycamore Elementary School Parent Faculty Club and stealing district property.
Stolz, who is the wife of the school district’s former board president, Rein Stolz, was arrested on Aug. 4 at her home.
She is accused of writing more than 80 checks to herself and her husband from the club’s account.
She also allegedly stole a digital camera, stacks of books and used the club’s account to buy enough ink cartridges to print close to 3,000 pages on her homes computer, police have said.
She has been placed on paid administrative leave with the Redding School District, school officials have said.
Her salary is just over $25,000 annually.
School officials said she will also receive benefits.
Next month’s trial for a Redding School District librarian accused of embezzling and stealing from a school parent club was delayed again today in Shasta County Superior Court to Dec. 6.
Wanell Stolz, 52, arrested in August 2010 at her Redding home and charged with grand theft and embezzlement, had been due to begin trial on Aug. 9.
But Superior Court Judge James Ruggiero was told today that a prosecution witness will be unable to testify at next month’s trial because she has just had major surgery.
In addition, Deputy District Attorney Erin Dervin, who is prosecuting the case, is expected to be in another embezzlement trial at the time the Stolz trial was due to start, attorneys said.
Criminal defense attorney Joe Gazzigli, who represents Stolz, said he was not opposed to the continuance.
In addition to the new trial date, a trial readiness conference was scheduled for Dec. 2, while a settlement conference was slated for Nov. 7.
Originally scheduled for March, the trial was delayed until May and delayed again until August.
Stolz, who is free on her own recognizance, is accused of embezzling about $13,400 from the Sycamore Elementary School Parent Faculty Club and stealing district property.
Stolz, who is the wife of the school district’s former board president, Rein Stolz, was arrested on Aug. 4 at her home.
She is accused of writing more than 80 checks to herself and her husband from the club’s account.
She also allegedly stole a digital camera, stacks of books and used the club’s account to buy enough ink cartridges to print close to 3,000 pages on her homes computer, police have said.
She has been placed on paid administrative leave with the Redding School District, school officials have said.
Her salary is just over $25,000 annually.
School officials said she will also receive benefits.
Conn. man pleads guilty to swindling churchgoers
FROM WEARTV.COM -
A Connecticut securities broker has pleaded guilty to federal charges that he swindled investors
including members of a Greek Orthodox church out of more than $8 million.
Federal authorities said Tuesday that 51-year-old Gregory Loles (LOW-liz) of Easton pleaded guilty to fraud and money laundering charges in U.S. District Court in New Haven.
Prosecutors say Loles convinced officials and some parishioners at St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church in Orange that he was an investment manager and misrepresented his successes. Prosecutors have said church members lost retirement and college funds.
Authorities say he used the money to support his auto racing businesses and for personal bills. He will be sentenced in October. A phone number listed for Loles wasn't in service Tuesday
A Connecticut securities broker has pleaded guilty to federal charges that he swindled investors
including members of a Greek Orthodox church out of more than $8 million.
Federal authorities said Tuesday that 51-year-old Gregory Loles (LOW-liz) of Easton pleaded guilty to fraud and money laundering charges in U.S. District Court in New Haven.
Prosecutors say Loles convinced officials and some parishioners at St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church in Orange that he was an investment manager and misrepresented his successes. Prosecutors have said church members lost retirement and college funds.
Authorities say he used the money to support his auto racing businesses and for personal bills. He will be sentenced in October. A phone number listed for Loles wasn't in service Tuesday
Former Cleveland Schools director who bilked thousands gets probation
FROM WOIO.COM -
A woman who embezzled nearly $20K dollars from the Cleveland School District has been sentenced to probation.
Restitution has been ordered in the amount of $18,630.48.
From March 2005 through December 2006, 54-year-old Janice Pink-King stole $18,630.48 using her position as Cleveland School District Director of Employee Services Payroll.
She obtained a salary advance and then paid herself back by check from the money that was previously deducted. Additionally, she paid herself back the amount deducted from her paycheck for retirement.
On June 23rd, Pink-King pleaded guilty to one count of theft in office and three counts of forgery.
A woman who embezzled nearly $20K dollars from the Cleveland School District has been sentenced to probation.
Restitution has been ordered in the amount of $18,630.48.
From March 2005 through December 2006, 54-year-old Janice Pink-King stole $18,630.48 using her position as Cleveland School District Director of Employee Services Payroll.
She obtained a salary advance and then paid herself back by check from the money that was previously deducted. Additionally, she paid herself back the amount deducted from her paycheck for retirement.
On June 23rd, Pink-King pleaded guilty to one count of theft in office and three counts of forgery.
Former pastor arraigned on embezzlement charge in Texas
FROM The Ruidoso News Police -
District Judge Karen Parsons arraigned former Ruidoso minister Kevin Krohn Friday, set his bond and ordered him booked and released.
"The state is not opposed to a reasonable bond," Deputy District Attorney Reed Thompson said to Parsons.
Defense attorney Dan Bryant asked Parsons for a 10 percent posting of the bond.
"In this type of case restitution becomes an issue," Bryant said. "So I would ask the court for a 10 percent posting so those funds would be available for restitution later on, should that become necessary."
Bryant said this case has been pending for over 10 months, Krohn has been cooperating and the Krohns have a home in Ruidoso.
Krohn is charged with embezzlement of over $20,000 from the Lincoln County Ministerial Alliance, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church and other area churches, a second degree felony, and with conspiracy.
Parsons ordered Krohn to post $1,000 to secure a $10,000 bond, and be photographed and fingerprinted by the Sheriff's Department, then released.
Thompson said earlier in the week that Krohn may have embezzled as much as $150,000, but the state only needs to prove that he stole $20,000 to make it a second degree felony. The conspiracy charge is a fourth degree felony.
Bryant and attorney Angie Schneider-Cook maintain that Krohn is innocent of the charges.
"We have faith that he will be exonerated by a jury of his peers," Schneider-Cook said.
District Judge Karen Parsons arraigned former Ruidoso minister Kevin Krohn Friday, set his bond and ordered him booked and released.
"The state is not opposed to a reasonable bond," Deputy District Attorney Reed Thompson said to Parsons.
Defense attorney Dan Bryant asked Parsons for a 10 percent posting of the bond.
"In this type of case restitution becomes an issue," Bryant said. "So I would ask the court for a 10 percent posting so those funds would be available for restitution later on, should that become necessary."
Bryant said this case has been pending for over 10 months, Krohn has been cooperating and the Krohns have a home in Ruidoso.
Krohn is charged with embezzlement of over $20,000 from the Lincoln County Ministerial Alliance, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church and other area churches, a second degree felony, and with conspiracy.
Parsons ordered Krohn to post $1,000 to secure a $10,000 bond, and be photographed and fingerprinted by the Sheriff's Department, then released.
Thompson said earlier in the week that Krohn may have embezzled as much as $150,000, but the state only needs to prove that he stole $20,000 to make it a second degree felony. The conspiracy charge is a fourth degree felony.
Bryant and attorney Angie Schneider-Cook maintain that Krohn is innocent of the charges.
"We have faith that he will be exonerated by a jury of his peers," Schneider-Cook said.
Church money leads to temptation in Florida
FROM NEWS-PRESS.COM -
Allegations of $1 million in misspending at St. Leo Catholic Church in Bonita Springs once again highlight the struggles even well-established institutions face in safeguarding their money.
Organizations may have strict financial policies, such as the 87-page Diocese of Venice financial manual governing St. Leo's. But those rules amount to little if they are not strictly enforced at all levels of leadership, fraud experts say.
Religious organizations, often awash in cash, sometimes forget unmonitored spending authority is too tempting for some, said Verne Hargrave, an Arlington, Texas-based accountant who specializes in church financial audits and investigations.
"In many respects, they're easy targets," Hargrave said.
"They have a trust and forgiveness philosophy. It makes it hard for them to believe it could happen at a church."
Religious and charitable organizations were victim to about 2 percent of U.S. fraud cases in 2008 and 2009, according to a survey last year of fraud examiners. The median loss was about $75,000.
They tend to be inside jobs, commonly involving improper billing and reimbursements or thefts of on-hand cash, the survey found. Often, news of wrongdoing is not made public and handled internally.
Some high-profile Florida cases:
St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church in Delray Beach fell victim to two embezzlement schemes by priests funding lavish homes, vacations and even a mistress, according to reports at the time. The Rev. John Skehan was sentenced to 14 months in prison in 2009 for stealing more than $370,000. The Rev. Francis Guinan was later sentenced to four years for stealing as much as $100,000 from the same church.
- A 2007 investigation at Episcopal Church of the Advent in Leon County turned up more than $500,000 in missing funds, according to news reports at the time. Former church bookkeeper Rosanne Stone was later sentenced to two years in prison after pleading no contest to the charges.
- The Diocese of Palm Beach revealed in 2002 it had kept quiet the embezzlement of $400,000 in the early 1990s by financial manager Robert J. Schattie. Schattie used the money to buy a fishing boat, Rolex watch and property, according to the church.
(Page 2 of 3)
Fraud is a particular risk for charitable and religious organizations, which rely heavily on donors, area church leaders say.
"There is a strong public trust there," said Russell Howard, executive pastor at McGregor Baptist Church in Fort Myers. "We have to be above reproach."
St. Leo's
Bishop Frank Dewane, head of the Diocese of Venice, told parishioners last week St. Leo's pastor, Rev. Stan Strycharz, used about $665,000 in church money for his personal credit card bills over the past five years, according to an outside audit.
Dewane also accused Strycharz, who is on administrative leave, of providing another $171,877 to a former church business manager for her children's education, $149,705 to Strycharz's brother and another $43,000 in unspecified misappropriations.
Strycharz's supporters claim the credit card was issued by the church and used for parish-related expenses, something the diocese denies.
It is not clear how Strycharz would possess a credit line that would allow for $665,000 in personal charging. He receives a salary, but the church has not revealed it.
His supporters also said the educational expenses cited by Dewane benefited 25 children each year for the past five years, which the diocese also denies.
The church and Strycharz's supporters have threatened legal action. But no criminal charges have been filed in connection with the allegations.
The audit itself, which might clear up the conflicting stories, has not been made available outside of church circles. A 2009-10 audit makes no mention of financial improprieties.
Diocese spokesman Billy Atwell said the document contains proprietary information and, for now, won't be released.
Strict rules
The diocese has strict rules on spending, but they grant broad fiscal authority to a parish pastor under the heading of "ordinary administration."
That administrator is supposed to administer those finances with assistance of a parish finance council, whose duties are to periodically review spending and other financial operations.
(Page 3 of 3)
A pastor's financial authority includes collecting and banking money, paying salaries, replacing supplies and other purchases needed for day-to-day operations. That last item comes with a limit of $30,000 or 5 percent of a parish's operational income, whichever is less.
Anything more expensive must get clearance from the bishop, according to diocese policy.
Atwell, the diocese spokesman, said he does not know St. Leo's operational income.
The diocese, which governs parishes in multiple Gulf Coast and central Florida counties, has assets totaling more than $160 million. That includes cash, land and investments, according to a 2010 financial audit.
Rules allow for parish credit cards but state they are discouraged. Those with credit cards are required to submit receipts for all purchases.
When asked why the financial council did not detect and stop inappropriate spending, Atwell released this statement that reads, in part:
"Father's financial irregularities were recognized in the years leading up to his being placed on administrative leave, and he was told what to fix by a peer review committee. Clearly he ignored many of the Diocese's policies and procedures and the specific corrective actions he was told to take - and as such over $1 million in questionable or unsupported expenses remain."
Atwell also said Strycharz refused to cooperate with auditors and allow them to review his credit card information. Strycharz backers insist the priest cooperated and provided documentation in a timely manner.
Strycharz has been instructed by the church to not speak publicly on the matter while it remains under investigation.
Many hands
Other large religious organizations in Southwest Florida have their own strict rules for spending.
First Assembly of God in Fort Myers, a multi-million dollar operation with 6,000 members, requires multiple approvals for any significant purchase, said David Thomas, senior assistant pastor.
It too has a finance committee charged with reviewing church books and undergoes an annual audit.
Takes from the Sunday collection plate are counted and banked by multiple church staffers, he said.
"People are making donations to this organization on a daily basis," Thomas said. "If they're not going to trust this organization and the financial integrity of it, they're not going to make donations to support our ministries."
The key is to not place spending authority in the hands of too few people, said Doug Pigg, associate pastor of church administration for 8,000-member First Baptist Church in Naples.
In such cases, "you've opened the door for a problem to take place," Pigg said. "If you have control of the money and you write the checks, then you've got trouble."
Fraud is a particular risk for charitable and religious organizations, which rely heavily on donors, area church leaders say.
"There is a strong public trust there," said Russell Howard, executive pastor at McGregor Baptist Church in Fort Myers. "We have to be above reproach."
St. Leo's
Bishop Frank Dewane, head of the Diocese of Venice, told parishioners last week St. Leo's pastor, Rev. Stan Strycharz, used about $665,000 in church money for his personal credit card bills over the past five years, according to an outside audit.
Dewane also accused Strycharz, who is on administrative leave, of providing another $171,877 to a former church business manager for her children's education, $149,705 to Strycharz's brother and another $43,000 in unspecified misappropriations.
Strycharz's supporters claim the credit card was issued by the church and used for parish-related expenses, something the diocese denies.
It is not clear how Strycharz would possess a credit line that would allow for $665,000 in personal charging. He receives a salary, but the church has not revealed it.
His supporters also said the educational expenses cited by Dewane benefited 25 children each year for the past five years, which the diocese also denies.
The church and Strycharz's supporters have threatened legal action. But no criminal charges have been filed in connection with the allegations.
The audit itself, which might clear up the conflicting stories, has not been made available outside of church circles. A 2009-10 audit makes no mention of financial improprieties.
Diocese spokesman Billy Atwell said the document contains proprietary information and, for now, won't be released.
Strict rules
The diocese has strict rules on spending, but they grant broad fiscal authority to a parish pastor under the heading of "ordinary administration."
That administrator is supposed to administer those finances with assistance of a parish finance council, whose duties are to periodically review spending and other financial operations
A pastor's financial authority includes collecting and banking money, paying salaries, replacing supplies and other purchases needed for day-to-day operations. That last item comes with a limit of $30,000 or 5 percent of a parish's operational income, whichever is less.
Anything more expensive must get clearance from the bishop, according to diocese policy.
Atwell, the diocese spokesman, said he does not know St. Leo's operational income.
The diocese, which governs parishes in multiple Gulf Coast and central Florida counties, has assets totaling more than $160 million. That includes cash, land and investments, according to a 2010 financial audit.
Rules allow for parish credit cards but state they are discouraged. Those with credit cards are required to submit receipts for all purchases.
When asked why the financial council did not detect and stop inappropriate spending, Atwell released this statement that reads, in part:
"Father's financial irregularities were recognized in the years leading up to his being placed on administrative leave, and he was told what to fix by a peer review committee. Clearly he ignored many of the Diocese's policies and procedures and the specific corrective actions he was told to take - and as such over $1 million in questionable or unsupported expenses remain."
Atwell also said Strycharz refused to cooperate with auditors and allow them to review his credit card information. Strycharz backers insist the priest cooperated and provided documentation in a timely manner.
Strycharz has been instructed by the church to not speak publicly on the matter while it remains under investigation.
Many hands
Other large religious organizations in Southwest Florida have their own strict rules for spending.
First Assembly of God in Fort Myers, a multi-million dollar operation with 6,000 members, requires multiple approvals for any significant purchase, said David Thomas, senior assistant pastor.
It too has a finance committee charged with reviewing church books and undergoes an annual audit.
Takes from the Sunday collection plate are counted and banked by multiple church staffers, he said.
"People are making donations to this organization on a daily basis," Thomas said. "If they're not going to trust this organization and the financial integrity of it, they're not going to make donations to support our ministries."
The key is to not place spending authority in the hands of too few people, said Doug Pigg, associate pastor of church administration for 8,000-member First Baptist Church in Naples.
In such cases, "you've opened the door for a problem to take place," Pigg said. "If you have control of the money and you write the checks, then you've got trouble."
Allegations of $1 million in misspending at St. Leo Catholic Church in Bonita Springs once again highlight the struggles even well-established institutions face in safeguarding their money.
Organizations may have strict financial policies, such as the 87-page Diocese of Venice financial manual governing St. Leo's. But those rules amount to little if they are not strictly enforced at all levels of leadership, fraud experts say.
Religious organizations, often awash in cash, sometimes forget unmonitored spending authority is too tempting for some, said Verne Hargrave, an Arlington, Texas-based accountant who specializes in church financial audits and investigations.
"In many respects, they're easy targets," Hargrave said.
"They have a trust and forgiveness philosophy. It makes it hard for them to believe it could happen at a church."
Religious and charitable organizations were victim to about 2 percent of U.S. fraud cases in 2008 and 2009, according to a survey last year of fraud examiners. The median loss was about $75,000.
They tend to be inside jobs, commonly involving improper billing and reimbursements or thefts of on-hand cash, the survey found. Often, news of wrongdoing is not made public and handled internally.
Some high-profile Florida cases:
St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church in Delray Beach fell victim to two embezzlement schemes by priests funding lavish homes, vacations and even a mistress, according to reports at the time. The Rev. John Skehan was sentenced to 14 months in prison in 2009 for stealing more than $370,000. The Rev. Francis Guinan was later sentenced to four years for stealing as much as $100,000 from the same church.
- A 2007 investigation at Episcopal Church of the Advent in Leon County turned up more than $500,000 in missing funds, according to news reports at the time. Former church bookkeeper Rosanne Stone was later sentenced to two years in prison after pleading no contest to the charges.
- The Diocese of Palm Beach revealed in 2002 it had kept quiet the embezzlement of $400,000 in the early 1990s by financial manager Robert J. Schattie. Schattie used the money to buy a fishing boat, Rolex watch and property, according to the church.
(Page 2 of 3)
Fraud is a particular risk for charitable and religious organizations, which rely heavily on donors, area church leaders say.
"There is a strong public trust there," said Russell Howard, executive pastor at McGregor Baptist Church in Fort Myers. "We have to be above reproach."
St. Leo's
Bishop Frank Dewane, head of the Diocese of Venice, told parishioners last week St. Leo's pastor, Rev. Stan Strycharz, used about $665,000 in church money for his personal credit card bills over the past five years, according to an outside audit.
Dewane also accused Strycharz, who is on administrative leave, of providing another $171,877 to a former church business manager for her children's education, $149,705 to Strycharz's brother and another $43,000 in unspecified misappropriations.
Strycharz's supporters claim the credit card was issued by the church and used for parish-related expenses, something the diocese denies.
It is not clear how Strycharz would possess a credit line that would allow for $665,000 in personal charging. He receives a salary, but the church has not revealed it.
His supporters also said the educational expenses cited by Dewane benefited 25 children each year for the past five years, which the diocese also denies.
The church and Strycharz's supporters have threatened legal action. But no criminal charges have been filed in connection with the allegations.
The audit itself, which might clear up the conflicting stories, has not been made available outside of church circles. A 2009-10 audit makes no mention of financial improprieties.
Diocese spokesman Billy Atwell said the document contains proprietary information and, for now, won't be released.
Strict rules
The diocese has strict rules on spending, but they grant broad fiscal authority to a parish pastor under the heading of "ordinary administration."
That administrator is supposed to administer those finances with assistance of a parish finance council, whose duties are to periodically review spending and other financial operations.
(Page 3 of 3)
A pastor's financial authority includes collecting and banking money, paying salaries, replacing supplies and other purchases needed for day-to-day operations. That last item comes with a limit of $30,000 or 5 percent of a parish's operational income, whichever is less.
Anything more expensive must get clearance from the bishop, according to diocese policy.
Atwell, the diocese spokesman, said he does not know St. Leo's operational income.
The diocese, which governs parishes in multiple Gulf Coast and central Florida counties, has assets totaling more than $160 million. That includes cash, land and investments, according to a 2010 financial audit.
Rules allow for parish credit cards but state they are discouraged. Those with credit cards are required to submit receipts for all purchases.
When asked why the financial council did not detect and stop inappropriate spending, Atwell released this statement that reads, in part:
"Father's financial irregularities were recognized in the years leading up to his being placed on administrative leave, and he was told what to fix by a peer review committee. Clearly he ignored many of the Diocese's policies and procedures and the specific corrective actions he was told to take - and as such over $1 million in questionable or unsupported expenses remain."
Atwell also said Strycharz refused to cooperate with auditors and allow them to review his credit card information. Strycharz backers insist the priest cooperated and provided documentation in a timely manner.
Strycharz has been instructed by the church to not speak publicly on the matter while it remains under investigation.
Many hands
Other large religious organizations in Southwest Florida have their own strict rules for spending.
First Assembly of God in Fort Myers, a multi-million dollar operation with 6,000 members, requires multiple approvals for any significant purchase, said David Thomas, senior assistant pastor.
It too has a finance committee charged with reviewing church books and undergoes an annual audit.
Takes from the Sunday collection plate are counted and banked by multiple church staffers, he said.
"People are making donations to this organization on a daily basis," Thomas said. "If they're not going to trust this organization and the financial integrity of it, they're not going to make donations to support our ministries."
The key is to not place spending authority in the hands of too few people, said Doug Pigg, associate pastor of church administration for 8,000-member First Baptist Church in Naples.
In such cases, "you've opened the door for a problem to take place," Pigg said. "If you have control of the money and you write the checks, then you've got trouble."
Fraud is a particular risk for charitable and religious organizations, which rely heavily on donors, area church leaders say.
"There is a strong public trust there," said Russell Howard, executive pastor at McGregor Baptist Church in Fort Myers. "We have to be above reproach."
St. Leo's
Bishop Frank Dewane, head of the Diocese of Venice, told parishioners last week St. Leo's pastor, Rev. Stan Strycharz, used about $665,000 in church money for his personal credit card bills over the past five years, according to an outside audit.
Dewane also accused Strycharz, who is on administrative leave, of providing another $171,877 to a former church business manager for her children's education, $149,705 to Strycharz's brother and another $43,000 in unspecified misappropriations.
Strycharz's supporters claim the credit card was issued by the church and used for parish-related expenses, something the diocese denies.
It is not clear how Strycharz would possess a credit line that would allow for $665,000 in personal charging. He receives a salary, but the church has not revealed it.
His supporters also said the educational expenses cited by Dewane benefited 25 children each year for the past five years, which the diocese also denies.
The church and Strycharz's supporters have threatened legal action. But no criminal charges have been filed in connection with the allegations.
The audit itself, which might clear up the conflicting stories, has not been made available outside of church circles. A 2009-10 audit makes no mention of financial improprieties.
Diocese spokesman Billy Atwell said the document contains proprietary information and, for now, won't be released.
Strict rules
The diocese has strict rules on spending, but they grant broad fiscal authority to a parish pastor under the heading of "ordinary administration."
That administrator is supposed to administer those finances with assistance of a parish finance council, whose duties are to periodically review spending and other financial operations
A pastor's financial authority includes collecting and banking money, paying salaries, replacing supplies and other purchases needed for day-to-day operations. That last item comes with a limit of $30,000 or 5 percent of a parish's operational income, whichever is less.
Anything more expensive must get clearance from the bishop, according to diocese policy.
Atwell, the diocese spokesman, said he does not know St. Leo's operational income.
The diocese, which governs parishes in multiple Gulf Coast and central Florida counties, has assets totaling more than $160 million. That includes cash, land and investments, according to a 2010 financial audit.
Rules allow for parish credit cards but state they are discouraged. Those with credit cards are required to submit receipts for all purchases.
When asked why the financial council did not detect and stop inappropriate spending, Atwell released this statement that reads, in part:
"Father's financial irregularities were recognized in the years leading up to his being placed on administrative leave, and he was told what to fix by a peer review committee. Clearly he ignored many of the Diocese's policies and procedures and the specific corrective actions he was told to take - and as such over $1 million in questionable or unsupported expenses remain."
Atwell also said Strycharz refused to cooperate with auditors and allow them to review his credit card information. Strycharz backers insist the priest cooperated and provided documentation in a timely manner.
Strycharz has been instructed by the church to not speak publicly on the matter while it remains under investigation.
Many hands
Other large religious organizations in Southwest Florida have their own strict rules for spending.
First Assembly of God in Fort Myers, a multi-million dollar operation with 6,000 members, requires multiple approvals for any significant purchase, said David Thomas, senior assistant pastor.
It too has a finance committee charged with reviewing church books and undergoes an annual audit.
Takes from the Sunday collection plate are counted and banked by multiple church staffers, he said.
"People are making donations to this organization on a daily basis," Thomas said. "If they're not going to trust this organization and the financial integrity of it, they're not going to make donations to support our ministries."
The key is to not place spending authority in the hands of too few people, said Doug Pigg, associate pastor of church administration for 8,000-member First Baptist Church in Naples.
In such cases, "you've opened the door for a problem to take place," Pigg said. "If you have control of the money and you write the checks, then you've got trouble."
Monday, July 25, 2011
Shoshoni woman sentenced in district embezzlement in Wyoming
FROM THE STAMFORD ADVOCATE. COM -
A judge has sentenced a 50-year-old woman to five years of supervised probation and ordered her to pay about $32,000 in restitution for taking money from a Fremont County school district.
Dstrict Judge Norman E. Young last week also gave Beth Wintermore, of Shoshoni, a three to five year suspended prison sentence.
Wintermore was an accounts payable clerk at Fremont County School District 24 from 2002 to March 2010.
She was accused of using school credit cards for personal use, including buying airline tickets so she and her daughter could attend a Jonas Brothers concert in New York in 2007.
Wintermore pleaded guilty to unlawful use of a credit card and forgery.
A judge has sentenced a 50-year-old woman to five years of supervised probation and ordered her to pay about $32,000 in restitution for taking money from a Fremont County school district.
Dstrict Judge Norman E. Young last week also gave Beth Wintermore, of Shoshoni, a three to five year suspended prison sentence.
Wintermore was an accounts payable clerk at Fremont County School District 24 from 2002 to March 2010.
She was accused of using school credit cards for personal use, including buying airline tickets so she and her daughter could attend a Jonas Brothers concert in New York in 2007.
Wintermore pleaded guilty to unlawful use of a credit card and forgery.
Former PTO President sentenced for embezzlement in California
FROM KLIV.COM -
Sentencing has been handed down to the former President of the Trace Elementary School's Parent-Teacher Organization on charges of embezzlement. It will be three years probation, with three months of community service and three months of electronic monitoring that 40-year-old Vanessa Reyes will have to serve as part of a plea agreement.
She had taken more than $20,000 from the PTO to make personal purchases. As part of the plea agreement, she paid back the money she owed, plus interest and a five-thousand dollar donation to the school.
Another woman arrested with Reyes, Anne Zingale, the former treasurer of the PTO has her next court date scheduled for July 27th. She was accused of embezzling 28-thousand dollars.
Sentencing has been handed down to the former President of the Trace Elementary School's Parent-Teacher Organization on charges of embezzlement. It will be three years probation, with three months of community service and three months of electronic monitoring that 40-year-old Vanessa Reyes will have to serve as part of a plea agreement.
She had taken more than $20,000 from the PTO to make personal purchases. As part of the plea agreement, she paid back the money she owed, plus interest and a five-thousand dollar donation to the school.
Another woman arrested with Reyes, Anne Zingale, the former treasurer of the PTO has her next court date scheduled for July 27th. She was accused of embezzling 28-thousand dollars.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Ex-Highline stadium manager Boehm sentenced to 13 months in Iowa
FROM HIGHLINETIMES.COM -
Former Highline athletic assistant and stadium manager Jayson Boehm was sentenced to 13 months in prison on Friday, July 22.
According to King County Prosecutors, Boehm was sentenced "for conducting medical exams on students without a license. Boehm pleaded guilty last month as charged to four counts of Unlicensed Practice of Medicine. Boehm is not a physician or physician's assistant. Boehm also pleaded guilty to Forgery for forging a medical form and Theft First Degree. The sentence range was 12 to 14 months."
Original story: When former Highline Stadium substitute manager Jayson Boehm is sentenced tomorrow (Friday, July 22) most of the focus will be on the four counts of unlicensed practice of medicine and forgery of forms to make it appear a physician signed them. But members of the Evergreen High Booster Club also want attention paid to the first-degree theft charges.
Boehm pleaded guilty to the charges, including theft on June 9. His sentencing hearing is set for July 22 at 10:30 a.m. in King County Superior Court Judge John Erlick's Kent courtroom. According to investigating detectives, Boehm stole more than $100,000. That includes about $82,000 from the booster club and $18,000 from the Highline School District.
Boehm served as unpaid assistant treasurer and treasurer of the booster club for about four years. The club, with about 20 members, holds fundraisers to support athletic teams on the Evergreen campus in White Center.
According to the presentencing statement from the King County Prosecutor's Office, Boehm resisted efforts by booster club president Richard Parker to give an accounting of the club's funds. When Boehm was fired by the school district in April 2010, he resigned as treasurer. When a new treasurer was selected an audit was conducted. According to detectives, Boehm had stolen about $41,000 from the club's BECU account and another $41,000 from a Watermark Credit Union account.
Boehm also was hired as a substitute stadium manager at Highline Memorial Field in September 2009. His responsibilities included collecting and depositing funds from ticket sales for various events. During his tenure, there seemed to be a sharp decrease in ticket sales though other employees told investigators they had not seen a noticeable downturn in event attendance. District auditors estimated the loss of potential funds at about $18,000.
Richard Parker, booster club president, said Boehm would have opted to go on trial on the other charges. The theft charge was used as leverage to get Boehm to plead out to a shorter sentence, according to Parker.
Parker said the theft shows what type of guy Boehm really is.
"He could try to explain away the other charges but he couldn't explain away (the thefts.)
"We don't want him to be released from jail and go back to handling other people's money," they wrote.
Parker also noted club members want the theft charges highlighted because he wants Evergreen supporters to know "there were people trying to clean up the mess."
Most of the public's attention has been on the other charges. He was charged with giving physical exams to about two-dozen male and female students without the proper license. He also pleaded guilty to falsifying forms to make it appear they were signed by a physician.
The offenses came to light after a school nurse reported to her supervisor that Boehm had provided a medical excuse for a student. At about the same time, sheriff's detectives notified the district that Boehm was being investigated for improperly touching a boxer at a non-school event at Evergreen.
Former Highline athletic assistant and stadium manager Jayson Boehm was sentenced to 13 months in prison on Friday, July 22.
According to King County Prosecutors, Boehm was sentenced "for conducting medical exams on students without a license. Boehm pleaded guilty last month as charged to four counts of Unlicensed Practice of Medicine. Boehm is not a physician or physician's assistant. Boehm also pleaded guilty to Forgery for forging a medical form and Theft First Degree. The sentence range was 12 to 14 months."
Original story: When former Highline Stadium substitute manager Jayson Boehm is sentenced tomorrow (Friday, July 22) most of the focus will be on the four counts of unlicensed practice of medicine and forgery of forms to make it appear a physician signed them. But members of the Evergreen High Booster Club also want attention paid to the first-degree theft charges.
Boehm pleaded guilty to the charges, including theft on June 9. His sentencing hearing is set for July 22 at 10:30 a.m. in King County Superior Court Judge John Erlick's Kent courtroom. According to investigating detectives, Boehm stole more than $100,000. That includes about $82,000 from the booster club and $18,000 from the Highline School District.
Boehm served as unpaid assistant treasurer and treasurer of the booster club for about four years. The club, with about 20 members, holds fundraisers to support athletic teams on the Evergreen campus in White Center.
According to the presentencing statement from the King County Prosecutor's Office, Boehm resisted efforts by booster club president Richard Parker to give an accounting of the club's funds. When Boehm was fired by the school district in April 2010, he resigned as treasurer. When a new treasurer was selected an audit was conducted. According to detectives, Boehm had stolen about $41,000 from the club's BECU account and another $41,000 from a Watermark Credit Union account.
Boehm also was hired as a substitute stadium manager at Highline Memorial Field in September 2009. His responsibilities included collecting and depositing funds from ticket sales for various events. During his tenure, there seemed to be a sharp decrease in ticket sales though other employees told investigators they had not seen a noticeable downturn in event attendance. District auditors estimated the loss of potential funds at about $18,000.
Richard Parker, booster club president, said Boehm would have opted to go on trial on the other charges. The theft charge was used as leverage to get Boehm to plead out to a shorter sentence, according to Parker.
Parker said the theft shows what type of guy Boehm really is.
"He could try to explain away the other charges but he couldn't explain away (the thefts.)
"We don't want him to be released from jail and go back to handling other people's money," they wrote.
Parker also noted club members want the theft charges highlighted because he wants Evergreen supporters to know "there were people trying to clean up the mess."
Most of the public's attention has been on the other charges. He was charged with giving physical exams to about two-dozen male and female students without the proper license. He also pleaded guilty to falsifying forms to make it appear they were signed by a physician.
The offenses came to light after a school nurse reported to her supervisor that Boehm had provided a medical excuse for a student. At about the same time, sheriff's detectives notified the district that Boehm was being investigated for improperly touching a boxer at a non-school event at Evergreen.
Former NASA Agent Stole from Church, Filed False Tax Returns in California
FROM ACCOUNTINGTODAY.COM -
A former special agent who worked for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Inspector General office has pleaded guilty to filing a false tax return that failed to list the $300,000 in cash he stole from his church’s collections while serving as a deacon.
Alvin Danielle Allen, 42, pleaded guilty Thursday to one count of subscribing to a false tax return for 2004, but also admitted in a Los Angeles federal court that he filed fraudulent returns for 2005 through 2008.
Allen had served as a deacon at Lancaster Baptist Church in Lancaster, Calif., since around 1998 and was also a member of the church’s board. From 2004 through 2009, he served on a church committee that counted the tithes after the church services. While serving in that role, he regularly stole from the congregants’ cash contributions, he admitted in his plea agreement. The amount of money he stole varied over the years until approximately October 2009, when he was caught on a hidden surveillance camera stealing the church tithings and hiding the cash in his clothes. He stole approximately $299,975 from the church between 2004 and 2008.
Allen is expected to remain in prison until he is sentenced by U.S. District Judge George H. King in November. He was previously convicted in state court of grand theft by embezzlement and commercial burglary for stealing from the church.
“Alvin Allen’s actions were detestable,” said special agent-in-charge Leslie P. DeMarco of the IRS-Criminal Investigation Los Angeles Field Office in a statement. “Allen violated the trust placed in him by NASA as well as his church community, for his own personal financial gain.”
According to the IRS, Allen failed to report approximately $42,436 in cash tithings that he stole from the church. He also falsely reported that he sold his rental property for a loss of $17,940, when in fact he made a profit of approximately $60,000.
For tax years 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008, Allen failed to report cash tithings stolen from the church of approximately $75,096, $61,903, $33,123, and $87,417, respectively. The tax loss to the IRS totals approximately $88,882.
Allen faces up to three years in prison. He has also agreed to pay all the additional taxes, penalties and interest assessed by the IRS on the basis of the returns before his sentencing date
A former special agent who worked for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Inspector General office has pleaded guilty to filing a false tax return that failed to list the $300,000 in cash he stole from his church’s collections while serving as a deacon.
Alvin Danielle Allen, 42, pleaded guilty Thursday to one count of subscribing to a false tax return for 2004, but also admitted in a Los Angeles federal court that he filed fraudulent returns for 2005 through 2008.
Allen had served as a deacon at Lancaster Baptist Church in Lancaster, Calif., since around 1998 and was also a member of the church’s board. From 2004 through 2009, he served on a church committee that counted the tithes after the church services. While serving in that role, he regularly stole from the congregants’ cash contributions, he admitted in his plea agreement. The amount of money he stole varied over the years until approximately October 2009, when he was caught on a hidden surveillance camera stealing the church tithings and hiding the cash in his clothes. He stole approximately $299,975 from the church between 2004 and 2008.
Allen is expected to remain in prison until he is sentenced by U.S. District Judge George H. King in November. He was previously convicted in state court of grand theft by embezzlement and commercial burglary for stealing from the church.
“Alvin Allen’s actions were detestable,” said special agent-in-charge Leslie P. DeMarco of the IRS-Criminal Investigation Los Angeles Field Office in a statement. “Allen violated the trust placed in him by NASA as well as his church community, for his own personal financial gain.”
According to the IRS, Allen failed to report approximately $42,436 in cash tithings that he stole from the church. He also falsely reported that he sold his rental property for a loss of $17,940, when in fact he made a profit of approximately $60,000.
For tax years 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008, Allen failed to report cash tithings stolen from the church of approximately $75,096, $61,903, $33,123, and $87,417, respectively. The tax loss to the IRS totals approximately $88,882.
Allen faces up to three years in prison. He has also agreed to pay all the additional taxes, penalties and interest assessed by the IRS on the basis of the returns before his sentencing date
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Ex-Parent Club Treasurer Charged In Embezzlement Case in California
From http://www.oakdaleleader.com/ -
The former treasurer of the Oakdale Junior High School Parent Teacher Club appeared in court on July 14 to face criminal charges of forgery and embezzlement.
Sabrina R. Martinez, 35, of Oakdale, is accused of embezzling over $4300 and forging unauthorized checks during a 10-month period in 2009 when she managed the fundraising organization’s finances.
In October 2009, Martinez was replaced as treasurer by parent, Kyle Richardson. When Richardson took over the position, she noticed irregularities in the bookkeeping by Martinez, including electronic payments of over $1000 from the PTC bank account to pay Martinez’s Kohl’s Department Store and Target Store credit accounts.
Richardson contacted the Oakdale Police Department, which conducted an investigation and contacted the various banking institutions involved in the fraud and embezzlement. The Stanislaus District Attorney’s Fraud Unit also assisted in the investigation.
In addition to making payments to her personal credit accounts, Martinez is accused of collecting over $1385 associated with school fundraising activities and failing to deposit them into the PTC’s bank account even though she noted in the organizations’ books that the deposits were made.
Martinez is also accused of forging over $500 in checks to an alias and then depositing them into her bank account.
The investigation also showed that during the time period she served as treasurer, Martinez made several withdrawals or issued checks to herself claiming they were for “expenses” associated with crab feeds, teacher appreciation lunches, and other PTC functions.
Records show over $1350 in separate expense checks and withdrawals in an eight-month period for amounts ranging from $100 to $250.
With the exception of a $29 rental receipt for a popcorn popper, there were no other associated receipts or documentation for the expenses claimed by Martinez, despite several requests to produce them.
Martinez did not give a statement to police about the expenditures or the checks and transfers.
At the July 14 court appearance, Martinez pleaded not guilty to the accusations and has a preliminary hearing date set for July 20.
The former treasurer of the Oakdale Junior High School Parent Teacher Club appeared in court on July 14 to face criminal charges of forgery and embezzlement.
Sabrina R. Martinez, 35, of Oakdale, is accused of embezzling over $4300 and forging unauthorized checks during a 10-month period in 2009 when she managed the fundraising organization’s finances.
In October 2009, Martinez was replaced as treasurer by parent, Kyle Richardson. When Richardson took over the position, she noticed irregularities in the bookkeeping by Martinez, including electronic payments of over $1000 from the PTC bank account to pay Martinez’s Kohl’s Department Store and Target Store credit accounts.
Richardson contacted the Oakdale Police Department, which conducted an investigation and contacted the various banking institutions involved in the fraud and embezzlement. The Stanislaus District Attorney’s Fraud Unit also assisted in the investigation.
In addition to making payments to her personal credit accounts, Martinez is accused of collecting over $1385 associated with school fundraising activities and failing to deposit them into the PTC’s bank account even though she noted in the organizations’ books that the deposits were made.
Martinez is also accused of forging over $500 in checks to an alias and then depositing them into her bank account.
The investigation also showed that during the time period she served as treasurer, Martinez made several withdrawals or issued checks to herself claiming they were for “expenses” associated with crab feeds, teacher appreciation lunches, and other PTC functions.
Records show over $1350 in separate expense checks and withdrawals in an eight-month period for amounts ranging from $100 to $250.
With the exception of a $29 rental receipt for a popcorn popper, there were no other associated receipts or documentation for the expenses claimed by Martinez, despite several requests to produce them.
Martinez did not give a statement to police about the expenditures or the checks and transfers.
At the July 14 court appearance, Martinez pleaded not guilty to the accusations and has a preliminary hearing date set for July 20.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Lowell booster club treasurer charged with embezzlement in Michigan
FROM WZZM13.COM -
The former treasurer of the Lowell Area Schools Athletic Boosters is facing charges for stealing more than $98,000 from the club.
The Grand Rapids Press is reporting Carrie Fisher, 39, admitted to police that she began taking the money in 2008, shortly after she became treasurer. She left her position as treasurer early this year.
Investigators say Fisher forged the name of the club's president on checks she wrote to herself and her company.
The club discovered the missing funds in an audit done last March and contacted police.
Fisher appeared in 63rd District Court in Grand Haven Township on Wednesday. She is charged with embezzlement of more than $50,000, forgery, and using a computer to commit a crime
The former treasurer of the Lowell Area Schools Athletic Boosters is facing charges for stealing more than $98,000 from the club.
The Grand Rapids Press is reporting Carrie Fisher, 39, admitted to police that she began taking the money in 2008, shortly after she became treasurer. She left her position as treasurer early this year.
Investigators say Fisher forged the name of the club's president on checks she wrote to herself and her company.
The club discovered the missing funds in an audit done last March and contacted police.
Fisher appeared in 63rd District Court in Grand Haven Township on Wednesday. She is charged with embezzlement of more than $50,000, forgery, and using a computer to commit a crime
Simple Tips to Responding to Embezzlement
FROM http://www.churchsafety.com/ -
One of the biggest challenges of embezzlement in a church setting is determining how to respond when theft is discovered. Here are six steps that may help you navigate the disturbing discovery that your church has been embezzled:
Identify the amount of the loss. The church's first priority is to deal with the embezzled funds and to understand the details of the loss. Ask questions like: Was only one person involved? What's the time frame for fraud—did it occur long ago, or is it still going on? Is the embezzlement limited to a petty cash fund? Do we have a way to determine how much has been embezzled? Once you know the details of the loss you are in a better position to decide whether you need outside help or if church staff can handle the situation.
Insurance coverage. Determine if the organization has any insurance to cover the loss. If so, the question of legal action may be in the hands of the insurance carrier.
Restoration of funds. If there is no insurance to cover the loss, determine whether or not the church can recoup any or all of the loss, and decide how to accomplish the recovery.
Public relations. Determine if the ministry will make a public statement concerning the embezzlement. Most ministries will prepare a carefully worded public statement but will not release the statement unless the matter gets into the media.
Reporting responsibilities. Any portion of misappropriated funds not repaid to the church must be reported as taxable compensation to the individual embezzling the funds under U.S. law (laws vary in other countries). Failure to report properly subjects the organization, its board, and the individual, to significant tax penalty and repayment requirements that exceed the stipulated amount unaccounted for. This constitutes a contingent liability.
Review policies and procedures. Take what you learned from the embezzlement, and use that knowledge to determine any inadequacies in existing policies and procedures.
One of the biggest challenges of embezzlement in a church setting is determining how to respond when theft is discovered. Here are six steps that may help you navigate the disturbing discovery that your church has been embezzled:
Identify the amount of the loss. The church's first priority is to deal with the embezzled funds and to understand the details of the loss. Ask questions like: Was only one person involved? What's the time frame for fraud—did it occur long ago, or is it still going on? Is the embezzlement limited to a petty cash fund? Do we have a way to determine how much has been embezzled? Once you know the details of the loss you are in a better position to decide whether you need outside help or if church staff can handle the situation.
Insurance coverage. Determine if the organization has any insurance to cover the loss. If so, the question of legal action may be in the hands of the insurance carrier.
Restoration of funds. If there is no insurance to cover the loss, determine whether or not the church can recoup any or all of the loss, and decide how to accomplish the recovery.
Public relations. Determine if the ministry will make a public statement concerning the embezzlement. Most ministries will prepare a carefully worded public statement but will not release the statement unless the matter gets into the media.
Reporting responsibilities. Any portion of misappropriated funds not repaid to the church must be reported as taxable compensation to the individual embezzling the funds under U.S. law (laws vary in other countries). Failure to report properly subjects the organization, its board, and the individual, to significant tax penalty and repayment requirements that exceed the stipulated amount unaccounted for. This constitutes a contingent liability.
Review policies and procedures. Take what you learned from the embezzlement, and use that knowledge to determine any inadequacies in existing policies and procedures.
Former Seguin Educational Foundation treasurer pleads in embezzlement case in Texas
FROM seguingazette.com -
A woman charged with embezzling more than $30,000 from the Seguin Education Foundation has accepted a plea agreement that calls for her to serve 10 years probation and return the stolen money.
Kimberly Emard, 44, who had served as treasurer of the foundation, was indicted in November 2010 on a charge of theft of property, more than $20,000, less than $100,000, from a non-profit organization.
Theft of $20,000 to $100,000 ordinarily is a third-degree felony, but it escalates to a second-degree felony when the victim is a non-profit organization. A second-degree felony is punishable by two to 20 years in state prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
The plea agreement was signed June 23 by Emard’s attorney, David Eveld, and Assistant District Attorney Larry Bloomquist.
The agreement calls for Emard to serve 10 years probation with deferred adjudication, a maximum of 30 days in jail as a condition of probation and to pay a $500 fine and restitution of approximately $34,000.
District Judge W.C. Kirkendall ordered a presentencing investigation by the adult probation office which also will calculate the exact amount of monthly payments toward restitution by the defendant. Kirkendall is not bound by the plea agreement, but if he were to decide to reject it, Emard would have an opportunity to withdraw her plea.
Kirkendall scheduled sentencing for Aug. 9 in Second 25th District Court.
“She doesn’t have a significant criminal history other than this,” Bloomquist said. “She’ll have a chance to turn her life around. She’s made some effort already to pay back the money.”
Established in 2004, the Seguin Education Foundation raises and distributes funds to enhance opportunities, enrich teaching and inspire learning in the Seguin Independent School District.
The Seguin Police Department began an investigation in July 2010 after SEF officials reported that a review of the foundation’s accounts revealed inappropriate expenditures and inaccurate treasurer’s reports. The review of SEF’s books reportedly indicated there were $54,000 in unallocated expenditures in 2009 and that $18,000 of that amount had been returned to the foundation in 2010.
SEF Administrator Katie Edwards could not be reached Monday for comment about the plea agreement. When Emard was indicted in November 2010, Edwards said the foundation remained active and viable.
“This incident in no way hinders the foundation’s commitment to provide financial support to the students and teachers in the Seguin ISD through our various programs,” Edwards said. “Upon resolution of this incident, the foundation directors expect full restitution.”
A woman charged with embezzling more than $30,000 from the Seguin Education Foundation has accepted a plea agreement that calls for her to serve 10 years probation and return the stolen money.
Kimberly Emard, 44, who had served as treasurer of the foundation, was indicted in November 2010 on a charge of theft of property, more than $20,000, less than $100,000, from a non-profit organization.
Theft of $20,000 to $100,000 ordinarily is a third-degree felony, but it escalates to a second-degree felony when the victim is a non-profit organization. A second-degree felony is punishable by two to 20 years in state prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
The plea agreement was signed June 23 by Emard’s attorney, David Eveld, and Assistant District Attorney Larry Bloomquist.
The agreement calls for Emard to serve 10 years probation with deferred adjudication, a maximum of 30 days in jail as a condition of probation and to pay a $500 fine and restitution of approximately $34,000.
District Judge W.C. Kirkendall ordered a presentencing investigation by the adult probation office which also will calculate the exact amount of monthly payments toward restitution by the defendant. Kirkendall is not bound by the plea agreement, but if he were to decide to reject it, Emard would have an opportunity to withdraw her plea.
Kirkendall scheduled sentencing for Aug. 9 in Second 25th District Court.
“She doesn’t have a significant criminal history other than this,” Bloomquist said. “She’ll have a chance to turn her life around. She’s made some effort already to pay back the money.”
Established in 2004, the Seguin Education Foundation raises and distributes funds to enhance opportunities, enrich teaching and inspire learning in the Seguin Independent School District.
The Seguin Police Department began an investigation in July 2010 after SEF officials reported that a review of the foundation’s accounts revealed inappropriate expenditures and inaccurate treasurer’s reports. The review of SEF’s books reportedly indicated there were $54,000 in unallocated expenditures in 2009 and that $18,000 of that amount had been returned to the foundation in 2010.
SEF Administrator Katie Edwards could not be reached Monday for comment about the plea agreement. When Emard was indicted in November 2010, Edwards said the foundation remained active and viable.
“This incident in no way hinders the foundation’s commitment to provide financial support to the students and teachers in the Seguin ISD through our various programs,” Edwards said. “Upon resolution of this incident, the foundation directors expect full restitution.”
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Delta College employee arrested for embezzlement
FROM LODINEWS.COM -
A San Joaquin Delta College employee has been arrested for allegedly destroying public documents and embezzling public funds.
Robbin Gerald Sealey Jr., 28, was booked at San Joaquin County Jail around 7 p.m. Monday after being arrested by Delta College Campus Police earlier in the day.
Sealey serves as the college’s flea market coordinator; his Facebook page says he’s held the position since September 2009.
Matt Wetstein, spokesman for the college, confirmed Sealey worked for the college and said the coordinator was placed on leave during an investigation into suspected wrongdoing. Wetstein said he is unsure if the leave is paid or unpaid.
Wetstein also did not know how many records or what type of documents Sealey allegedly altered or destroyed.
Sealey’s public Facebook indicates he resides in Lockeford and graduated from Galt High School in 2001.
His page features pictures of him at a Delta College retreat in July of 2010. “Paid to dance” and “paid to eat” are two separate captions listed with photographs from the retreat.
Sealey has a tentative court date scheduled for Wednesday at San Joaquin Superior Court in Stockton, according to the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Department website. His bail is set at $103,000.
Calls placed to the college’s student activity center were not immediately returned.
A San Joaquin Delta College employee has been arrested for allegedly destroying public documents and embezzling public funds.
Robbin Gerald Sealey Jr., 28, was booked at San Joaquin County Jail around 7 p.m. Monday after being arrested by Delta College Campus Police earlier in the day.
Sealey serves as the college’s flea market coordinator; his Facebook page says he’s held the position since September 2009.
Matt Wetstein, spokesman for the college, confirmed Sealey worked for the college and said the coordinator was placed on leave during an investigation into suspected wrongdoing. Wetstein said he is unsure if the leave is paid or unpaid.
Wetstein also did not know how many records or what type of documents Sealey allegedly altered or destroyed.
Sealey’s public Facebook indicates he resides in Lockeford and graduated from Galt High School in 2001.
His page features pictures of him at a Delta College retreat in July of 2010. “Paid to dance” and “paid to eat” are two separate captions listed with photographs from the retreat.
Sealey has a tentative court date scheduled for Wednesday at San Joaquin Superior Court in Stockton, according to the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Department website. His bail is set at $103,000.
Calls placed to the college’s student activity center were not immediately returned.
Vendor accused in Skiatook bribery case arrested in Oklahoma
FROM TULSAWORLD.COM -
A co-defendant in a Skiatook Public Schools bribery case was booked into the Tulsa jail today, records show.
Rickey Lynn Enos, 58, of Oklahoma City was arrested on four counts of bribery of a public officer/employee at 1:35 p.m. Monday. His bail is a total of $20,000.
Former Skiatook superintendent Gary Johnson, 56, of Tulsa pleaded guilty Wednesday to four charges of accepting cash bribes totaling $10,000 from Enos, an Oklahoma City vendor, for district custodial supplies and security equipment.
Enos is accused of bribing Johnson for the same amounts.
Johnson, in a written statement released after his plea in Tulsa County District Court, said his actions "represent a breach of the trust that had been placed in me by the students, parents, teachers and officials in Skiatook."
Grand jury indictments unsealed in June 2010 accused Johnson, who resigned last summer, of embezzlement and bribery of a public official in connection with a state audit that found overspending by the school district for supplies and equipment.
The indictments were returned four months after a state audit found that the school district paid Enos -- through his Oklahoma City companies E&E Sales and Austin Security -- $570,000 more than it would have paid for custodial supplies and security equipment had it bought them directly.
According to the audit, the district paid an Enos company as much as $29.95 -- a mark-up of 892 percent -- for a dust-mop handle that could have been bought for $3.02.
Tulsa County District Attorney Tim Harris said Wednesday that he was dismissing charges connected with the indictment in exchange for Johnson waiving his right to a preliminary hearing and pleading guilty to the new counts, which allege Johnson accepted bribes on four occasions between Jan. 10, 2008, and Dec. 15, 2008, documents claim.
The cash amounts were $2,000 (Jan. 10, 2008), $2,500 (June 9, 2008), $3,000 (Aug. 14, 2008) and $2,500 (Dec. 15, 2008), records show.
Johnson, who remains free on bail, entered a "blind" plea, meaning no agreement has been reached regarding his punishment.
A co-defendant in a Skiatook Public Schools bribery case was booked into the Tulsa jail today, records show.
Rickey Lynn Enos, 58, of Oklahoma City was arrested on four counts of bribery of a public officer/employee at 1:35 p.m. Monday. His bail is a total of $20,000.
Former Skiatook superintendent Gary Johnson, 56, of Tulsa pleaded guilty Wednesday to four charges of accepting cash bribes totaling $10,000 from Enos, an Oklahoma City vendor, for district custodial supplies and security equipment.
Enos is accused of bribing Johnson for the same amounts.
Johnson, in a written statement released after his plea in Tulsa County District Court, said his actions "represent a breach of the trust that had been placed in me by the students, parents, teachers and officials in Skiatook."
Grand jury indictments unsealed in June 2010 accused Johnson, who resigned last summer, of embezzlement and bribery of a public official in connection with a state audit that found overspending by the school district for supplies and equipment.
The indictments were returned four months after a state audit found that the school district paid Enos -- through his Oklahoma City companies E&E Sales and Austin Security -- $570,000 more than it would have paid for custodial supplies and security equipment had it bought them directly.
According to the audit, the district paid an Enos company as much as $29.95 -- a mark-up of 892 percent -- for a dust-mop handle that could have been bought for $3.02.
Tulsa County District Attorney Tim Harris said Wednesday that he was dismissing charges connected with the indictment in exchange for Johnson waiving his right to a preliminary hearing and pleading guilty to the new counts, which allege Johnson accepted bribes on four occasions between Jan. 10, 2008, and Dec. 15, 2008, documents claim.
The cash amounts were $2,000 (Jan. 10, 2008), $2,500 (June 9, 2008), $3,000 (Aug. 14, 2008) and $2,500 (Dec. 15, 2008), records show.
Johnson, who remains free on bail, entered a "blind" plea, meaning no agreement has been reached regarding his punishment.
School Official Charged With Embezzlement in Iowa
FROM KGAN.COM -
The former business manager for Lake Mills Community Schools has been arrested on six charges, accused of stealing more than $260,000 from the northern Iowa district.
The Mason City Globe Gazette reports that 44-year-old Christine Mathahs was arrested Monday. The six charges against Mathahs include money laundering and theft.
Mathahs resigned in December after the district superintendent questioned about her travel and spending and asked the state auditor's office to investigate.
In a June 30 report, the auditor's office cited inappropriate spending totaling $262,000. The report said the misspending included checks Mathahs issued between 2005 and 2010 from the district's bank account to pay off at least 12 of her credit card accounts.
Court records don't yet list Mathahs case or the name of her attorney.
The former business manager for Lake Mills Community Schools has been arrested on six charges, accused of stealing more than $260,000 from the northern Iowa district.
The Mason City Globe Gazette reports that 44-year-old Christine Mathahs was arrested Monday. The six charges against Mathahs include money laundering and theft.
Mathahs resigned in December after the district superintendent questioned about her travel and spending and asked the state auditor's office to investigate.
In a June 30 report, the auditor's office cited inappropriate spending totaling $262,000. The report said the misspending included checks Mathahs issued between 2005 and 2010 from the district's bank account to pay off at least 12 of her credit card accounts.
Court records don't yet list Mathahs case or the name of her attorney.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Couple sent to prison for stealing thousands from church in North Carolina
FROM GASTONGAZETTE.COM -
Linda Roland’s voice quivered as she publicly apologized to the church, family and friends that she and her husband Alan Roland hurt when they embezzled money from a local church.
“I would just like to say sometimes good people, even Christians, make very bad choices and mistakes,” Linda Roland said, reading from an apology letter she had written. “There are consequences for those things, and we know that. We are sorry for what we did.”
Linda and Alan Roland both pleaded guilty to four counts of embezzlement Monday and will serve between 24 and 32 months in prison as part of a plea deal. Gaston County District Attorney Locke Bell dropped the charges from a single charge of embezzlement with a higher penalty to four lower-penalty embezzlement felonies because they admitted to the church and the police that they had taken the money.
Bell said the couple embezzled $208,000 from the Way of the Cross Baptist Church from 2007 through 2010.
“They were writing checks to themselves, and sometimes they’d put some money back, other times they didn’t,” Bell said in Superior Court Monday.
Alan and Linda Roland opted to have attorney Andrea Godwin represent both of them, waiving their rights to have their own individual lawyers.
Pride caused the couple to take money from the church when difficult economic times hit about a decade ago, Godwin said. The two met in church, married at 18 and lived godly lives, she said. Alan Roland left his job to start a landscaping business that did well at first, then struggled to make ends meet, Godwin said.
“I believe that was when at some point a line was crossed,” Godwin said. “They decided in their own minds to borrow money from the church and then pay it back.”
They borrowed and repaid the money once, blurring the lines of right and wrong and making it easier to do again, she said.
“Once that became an option for them, there was no way to catch up,” Godwin said.
Godwin said the Rolands took a little more than $100,000, less than what the prosecution alleged. Godwin said they would write a check, cash it and put some of the money back in the church’s account as a way to balance the church’s accounting books.
When a $25,000 church bill needed to be paid, Alan Roland went to different lenders to get money. He was unsuccessful, Godwin said.
“They wrote a letter to the church before they were ever charged,” Godwin said. “They indicated to me that not only did they feel a great sense of desperation, but also a sense of relief. They were exhausted and they were disgusted with their situation. Both had considered taking their own lives. The friends that they have are friends from church.”
The Rolands’ sentences did not require them to pay restitution to the Mount Holly church with around 80 members. Way of the Cross deacon David Gibson said the church was OK with not getting its money back.
“It’s a tragedy to the church, a tragedy to the family,” Gibson said. “We love them, and they love us, and we left it into God’s hands to handle it.”
Linda Roland dabbed away tears and struggled to stay calm as she read an apology from both of them. The couple has lost their home, their vehicles and their jobs, she said.
“But none of that matters because we deserve it. We believe that the guilt and the remorse and the self hate that we have for ourselves has contributed to the health problems that we have,” Linda Roland said. “We have no one to blame but ourselves.”
The couple will never be in charge of money at a church again, Linda Roland said.
“We don’t even know if any church would even allow us to attend,” she said. “We only ask that anyone who knows how to pray, to pray for this little church and pray for us.”
Alan Roland stood and gave an apology of his own to the preacher, deacons, church board, all members of the church and his son.
“My wife and I were both raised in a Christian home. I raised him (my son) in a Christian home, and I let him down,” Alan Roland said. “I tried so hard before this came out to fix it.”
Superior Court Judge Nathaniel Poovey acknowledged the sincerity of their apologies.
“I can tell that your remorse is genuine,” he said. “It is simply a tragedy all the way around.”
The Rolands will start serving their time on Aug. 30.
“My wife and I will not be able to see each other for 32 months,” Alan Roland said. “She’ll go her way, and I’ll go mine. We’ve been married 38 years and we’ve never been apart.”
Linda Roland’s voice quivered as she publicly apologized to the church, family and friends that she and her husband Alan Roland hurt when they embezzled money from a local church.
“I would just like to say sometimes good people, even Christians, make very bad choices and mistakes,” Linda Roland said, reading from an apology letter she had written. “There are consequences for those things, and we know that. We are sorry for what we did.”
Linda and Alan Roland both pleaded guilty to four counts of embezzlement Monday and will serve between 24 and 32 months in prison as part of a plea deal. Gaston County District Attorney Locke Bell dropped the charges from a single charge of embezzlement with a higher penalty to four lower-penalty embezzlement felonies because they admitted to the church and the police that they had taken the money.
Bell said the couple embezzled $208,000 from the Way of the Cross Baptist Church from 2007 through 2010.
“They were writing checks to themselves, and sometimes they’d put some money back, other times they didn’t,” Bell said in Superior Court Monday.
Alan and Linda Roland opted to have attorney Andrea Godwin represent both of them, waiving their rights to have their own individual lawyers.
Pride caused the couple to take money from the church when difficult economic times hit about a decade ago, Godwin said. The two met in church, married at 18 and lived godly lives, she said. Alan Roland left his job to start a landscaping business that did well at first, then struggled to make ends meet, Godwin said.
“I believe that was when at some point a line was crossed,” Godwin said. “They decided in their own minds to borrow money from the church and then pay it back.”
They borrowed and repaid the money once, blurring the lines of right and wrong and making it easier to do again, she said.
“Once that became an option for them, there was no way to catch up,” Godwin said.
Godwin said the Rolands took a little more than $100,000, less than what the prosecution alleged. Godwin said they would write a check, cash it and put some of the money back in the church’s account as a way to balance the church’s accounting books.
When a $25,000 church bill needed to be paid, Alan Roland went to different lenders to get money. He was unsuccessful, Godwin said.
“They wrote a letter to the church before they were ever charged,” Godwin said. “They indicated to me that not only did they feel a great sense of desperation, but also a sense of relief. They were exhausted and they were disgusted with their situation. Both had considered taking their own lives. The friends that they have are friends from church.”
The Rolands’ sentences did not require them to pay restitution to the Mount Holly church with around 80 members. Way of the Cross deacon David Gibson said the church was OK with not getting its money back.
“It’s a tragedy to the church, a tragedy to the family,” Gibson said. “We love them, and they love us, and we left it into God’s hands to handle it.”
Linda Roland dabbed away tears and struggled to stay calm as she read an apology from both of them. The couple has lost their home, their vehicles and their jobs, she said.
“But none of that matters because we deserve it. We believe that the guilt and the remorse and the self hate that we have for ourselves has contributed to the health problems that we have,” Linda Roland said. “We have no one to blame but ourselves.”
The couple will never be in charge of money at a church again, Linda Roland said.
“We don’t even know if any church would even allow us to attend,” she said. “We only ask that anyone who knows how to pray, to pray for this little church and pray for us.”
Alan Roland stood and gave an apology of his own to the preacher, deacons, church board, all members of the church and his son.
“My wife and I were both raised in a Christian home. I raised him (my son) in a Christian home, and I let him down,” Alan Roland said. “I tried so hard before this came out to fix it.”
Superior Court Judge Nathaniel Poovey acknowledged the sincerity of their apologies.
“I can tell that your remorse is genuine,” he said. “It is simply a tragedy all the way around.”
The Rolands will start serving their time on Aug. 30.
“My wife and I will not be able to see each other for 32 months,” Alan Roland said. “She’ll go her way, and I’ll go mine. We’ve been married 38 years and we’ve never been apart.”
Sunday, July 17, 2011
2 UGA employees charged with purchasing-card fraud
FROM http://www.onlineathens.com/ -
University of Georgia police have charged two employees of UGA's College of Education with fraudulently using state-issued purchasing cards.
Laura Cobb Watson, 47, of Statham, was booked into the Clarke County Jail on Wednesday on charges of using state resources for personal gain, theft by conversion, and altering public documents.
Watson was a senior accountant for the College of Education's Educational Psychology and Instructional Technology Department but has since been fired, according to a college spokesman.
Kathy Ingram Knudson, 51, of Watkinsville, is an administrative assistant in the same college department. She surrendered at the jail, where she was booked in on one count of use of state resources for personal gain.
Both women surrendered after UGA police took out warrants for their arrest Wednesday, and they were released after posting bond.
Knudson was on leave from her job at the time of her arrest and had not been fired as of Friday, the college spokesman said.
UGA police Chief Jimmy Williamson was out of town Friday and unavailable for comment.
The department's spokesman, Lt. Eric Dellinger, didn't know details about the alleged crimes, which were reported in May.
"A private vendor from the Athens area noticed a transaction using a UGA purchasing card and felt it was suspicious and reported," Dellinger said, "Our investigation revealed they used state p-cards for the purchase of property for personal gain."
UGA police have arrested several employees for misusing p-cards in recent years.
In one such case, a Terry College of Business secretary embezzled thousands of dollars between 2006 and 2008 by fraudulently using a state-issued purchasing card, UGA police said.
Dellinger didn't know how much money is involved in this case
University of Georgia police have charged two employees of UGA's College of Education with fraudulently using state-issued purchasing cards.
Laura Cobb Watson, 47, of Statham, was booked into the Clarke County Jail on Wednesday on charges of using state resources for personal gain, theft by conversion, and altering public documents.
Watson was a senior accountant for the College of Education's Educational Psychology and Instructional Technology Department but has since been fired, according to a college spokesman.
Kathy Ingram Knudson, 51, of Watkinsville, is an administrative assistant in the same college department. She surrendered at the jail, where she was booked in on one count of use of state resources for personal gain.
Both women surrendered after UGA police took out warrants for their arrest Wednesday, and they were released after posting bond.
Knudson was on leave from her job at the time of her arrest and had not been fired as of Friday, the college spokesman said.
UGA police Chief Jimmy Williamson was out of town Friday and unavailable for comment.
The department's spokesman, Lt. Eric Dellinger, didn't know details about the alleged crimes, which were reported in May.
"A private vendor from the Athens area noticed a transaction using a UGA purchasing card and felt it was suspicious and reported," Dellinger said, "Our investigation revealed they used state p-cards for the purchase of property for personal gain."
UGA police have arrested several employees for misusing p-cards in recent years.
In one such case, a Terry College of Business secretary embezzled thousands of dollars between 2006 and 2008 by fraudulently using a state-issued purchasing card, UGA police said.
Dellinger didn't know how much money is involved in this case
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Former Fontana school administrator admits embezzlement in California
FROM http://www.contracostatimes.com/ -
A former administrator for the Fontana Unified School District pleaded no contest this week to embezzling about $8,500 from the district.
Shawn Kingsley, former director of maintenance and operations, entered his plea to a misdemeanor count of embezzlement Thursday in Fontana Superior Court.
Kingsley, 56, of Fontana, was sentenced by Judge Phillip Morris to 45 days in jail and was placed on probation for three years, according to court records.
Kingsley was charged in January after a Fontana police investigation revealed evidence that he took about $8,500 generated through sales of the district's scrap metal.
According to a police report in Kingsley's court file, he used the embezzled money for personal expenses, including donations to his church, Cross Pointe Community Church in Fontana.
Kingsley's embezzlement reportedly began in 2007, when he was named director of maintenance and operations, and continued until November 2010, when police received a tip about the embezzlement from a district employee.
Kingsley, a district employee of 28 years, was initially placed on administrative leave. He later resigned.
Judge Morris ordered Kingsley to report to Glen Helen Rehabilitation Center in Devore by Oct. 14 to begin serving his jail sentence, which he is eligible to complete through a work-release program, according to court records.
Kingsley must finish serving his jail sentence by April 14.
A former administrator for the Fontana Unified School District pleaded no contest this week to embezzling about $8,500 from the district.
Shawn Kingsley, former director of maintenance and operations, entered his plea to a misdemeanor count of embezzlement Thursday in Fontana Superior Court.
Kingsley, 56, of Fontana, was sentenced by Judge Phillip Morris to 45 days in jail and was placed on probation for three years, according to court records.
Kingsley was charged in January after a Fontana police investigation revealed evidence that he took about $8,500 generated through sales of the district's scrap metal.
According to a police report in Kingsley's court file, he used the embezzled money for personal expenses, including donations to his church, Cross Pointe Community Church in Fontana.
Kingsley's embezzlement reportedly began in 2007, when he was named director of maintenance and operations, and continued until November 2010, when police received a tip about the embezzlement from a district employee.
Kingsley, a district employee of 28 years, was initially placed on administrative leave. He later resigned.
Judge Morris ordered Kingsley to report to Glen Helen Rehabilitation Center in Devore by Oct. 14 to begin serving his jail sentence, which he is eligible to complete through a work-release program, according to court records.
Kingsley must finish serving his jail sentence by April 14.
Friday, July 15, 2011
Man Arrested For Embezzling Money From A Youth Football Team
FROM http://www.kionrightnow.com/ -
A man is behind bars Wednesday night, for embezzling money from a Salinas recreation football league. Police say 52-year-old Julio Sanchez went home to home calling himself "Coach Sanchez" and asked for donations. But they say that money went straight to his pockets, never reaching the football team.
Selfish, it's just not right," said Armando Galvan, former Alisal Eagles Football Player.
Armando Galvan played for the Alisal Eagles in Middle School and he wasn't happy when Central Coast News told him about Sanchez. Now he's concerned people will stop donating to a team that relies on fundraising.
"With these tough times, people are iffy about where they want to give their money to. Maybe they won't even cease to give money out to fundraisers anymore because it's not going to the right spot," said Galvan.
Detectives said an alleged victim came forward saying he gave money to Sanchez and noticed it was cashed at a local store instead of a bank. The alleged victim contacted the Alisal Eagles organization and found out the kids never got the money.
"It provided the jerseys, it provided just the equipment that we have. With the kids working so hard to get the money, and somebody takes advantage of that situation, it's not right for somebody to do that," said Galvan.
Sanchez was booked into the Monterey County Jail on Embezzlement, Burglary and Probation Violation charges. Police don't know how many times Sanchez has collected money, but they do believe more victims are involved. If you believe you've been a victim, you can call Salinas Police at (831) 758-7321
A man is behind bars Wednesday night, for embezzling money from a Salinas recreation football league. Police say 52-year-old Julio Sanchez went home to home calling himself "Coach Sanchez" and asked for donations. But they say that money went straight to his pockets, never reaching the football team.
Selfish, it's just not right," said Armando Galvan, former Alisal Eagles Football Player.
Armando Galvan played for the Alisal Eagles in Middle School and he wasn't happy when Central Coast News told him about Sanchez. Now he's concerned people will stop donating to a team that relies on fundraising.
"With these tough times, people are iffy about where they want to give their money to. Maybe they won't even cease to give money out to fundraisers anymore because it's not going to the right spot," said Galvan.
Detectives said an alleged victim came forward saying he gave money to Sanchez and noticed it was cashed at a local store instead of a bank. The alleged victim contacted the Alisal Eagles organization and found out the kids never got the money.
"It provided the jerseys, it provided just the equipment that we have. With the kids working so hard to get the money, and somebody takes advantage of that situation, it's not right for somebody to do that," said Galvan.
Sanchez was booked into the Monterey County Jail on Embezzlement, Burglary and Probation Violation charges. Police don't know how many times Sanchez has collected money, but they do believe more victims are involved. If you believe you've been a victim, you can call Salinas Police at (831) 758-7321
Capistrano schools admit sports gear embezzlement in California
FROM http://www.mercurynews.com/ -
An investigation shows some of Capistrano Unified School District high school coaches may have embezzled hundreds of thousands of dollars of parent and district money, a top school official says.
The Orange County Register reports Capistrano Superintendent Joe Farley says coaches may have routinely overbilled the district for athletic supply orders made to Laguna Hills-based Lapes Athletic Team Sales in exchange for kickbacks from the now defunct business.
"We believe there could have been criminal misconduct," Farley told the newspaper Wednesday. "The findings are significant enough that it merits being turned over to the sheriff's department."
The district expects to provide a full report to the Orange County Sheriff's Department by the end of the summer.
The district launched an investigation in October into allegations brought by Geoff and Teresa Sando of Irvine, who inherited the Lapes company and found discrepancies in its billing records.
The Sandos say coaches at about 30 county high schools and community colleges may have received kickbacks.
Farley declined to identify coaches involved.
Investigations are now under way at other Orange County schools, according to Orange County schools Superintendent Bill Habermehl.
Many schools say their coaches received kickbacks from Lapes, but the funds were used appropriately for team-related expenses, said Habermehl.
"They found out there was nothing wrong, or there was an error of judgment but no misappropriation or misuse of funds," Habermehl told the Register. "Ninety-nine percent of our coaches are doing nothing wrong. It's just a matter of a few who broke ranks and had a poor error in judgment."
An investigation shows some of Capistrano Unified School District high school coaches may have embezzled hundreds of thousands of dollars of parent and district money, a top school official says.
The Orange County Register reports Capistrano Superintendent Joe Farley says coaches may have routinely overbilled the district for athletic supply orders made to Laguna Hills-based Lapes Athletic Team Sales in exchange for kickbacks from the now defunct business.
"We believe there could have been criminal misconduct," Farley told the newspaper Wednesday. "The findings are significant enough that it merits being turned over to the sheriff's department."
The district expects to provide a full report to the Orange County Sheriff's Department by the end of the summer.
The district launched an investigation in October into allegations brought by Geoff and Teresa Sando of Irvine, who inherited the Lapes company and found discrepancies in its billing records.
The Sandos say coaches at about 30 county high schools and community colleges may have received kickbacks.
Farley declined to identify coaches involved.
Investigations are now under way at other Orange County schools, according to Orange County schools Superintendent Bill Habermehl.
Many schools say their coaches received kickbacks from Lapes, but the funds were used appropriately for team-related expenses, said Habermehl.
"They found out there was nothing wrong, or there was an error of judgment but no misappropriation or misuse of funds," Habermehl told the Register. "Ninety-nine percent of our coaches are doing nothing wrong. It's just a matter of a few who broke ranks and had a poor error in judgment."
Make Churches Accountable
FROM http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ -
Yesterday, in a letter to the Internal Revenue Service, Americans United for Separation of Church and State called for an investigation into Tom Brown Ministries in El Paso, Texas. Apparently Pastor Tom Brown, in violation of his organization's public charity tax status, endorsed the recall of Mayor John Cook and El Paso City Council Members Steve Ortega and Susie Byrd because they support extending health care benefits to domestic partners. Perhaps Pastor Brown is putting a new twist on the gospel of love: Love thy neighbors but don't let them have access to basic health care. Yet Pastor Tom is no ascetic, he's among those preaching the good old Prosperity Gospel. Isn't it about time Americans woke-up to this scam?
From Ted Haggard to Eddie Long, American church empires are no strangers to corruption. But while sex scandals are splashed across the headlines, code infringements and financial scandals more frequently fly under the radar. According to Villanova University researchers in 2006, 85 percent of U.S. dioceses detected embezzlement over the previous five years. IRS code infringements are also becoming frequent, and even fashionable. In September, over 100 pastors across the country participated in "Pulpit Freedom Sunday." The event was dedicated to the support of political candidates through church sermons, a violation for any organization holding a 501(c)3 classification. The IRS, however, was slow to respond.
In an effort to address the growing issue, Senator Charles Grassley, a conservative Senator from Iowa, embarked on a courageous three year investigation into the seriously flawed financial practices of six megachurches. Unfortunately Senator Grassley fell short of enacting anything that would address continued abuses in the churches that he uncovered.
Maybe it was pressure from his fundamentalist colleagues, or a reconsideration of how his investigations put religion in such a poor light, but Senator Grassley took an unfortunate leap backwards when he turned over his report earlier this year to a commission formed by the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability. The ECFA Commission on Accountability and Policy for Religious Organizations is composed solely of evangelical Christians, many of whom are ministers or involved in religious universities. They've been tasked to look into the special privileges churches receive from the IRS tax code such as exemption from filing returns with the IRS, advance notice of IRS audits of their organization, and parsonage allowance, which enables ministers to write off the cost of their housing from taxes.
The ECFA has existed for decades with seemingly little impact on curbing the abuses of churches and ministers, so why would they be a good choice in this instance? They may not be a good choice for those who are committed to reform, but they are the perfect choice for those interested in burying the issue.
Among the 14 men on the 15 person commission is Mark Rutland, also President of Oral Roberts University. Rutland was asked to take over after Richard Roberts (son of Oral) and his family was accused of vast abuses of university resources, from accusations of shepherding Richard's daughter to the Bahamas using the university's jet to reports that Lindsay, Richard's wife, spent tens of thousands of school dollars on clothing and other personal items. And it was Oral Roberts, after all, who developed and popularized the concept of "Seed faith" money, the reprehensible practice of encouraging believers to donate money to the church to appease God and earn His favor financially as well as spiritually. Roberts continually described this as an "investment" in both the church and the believer's own prosperity. More scrupulous persons might call this "fraud."
Other commission members are conveniently familiar with radical evangelist empires. Mark Holbrook is president of the Evangelical Christian Credit Union with $3.2 billion in assets handling the banking for ministries around the world. Stephen Douglass is president of the Campus Crusade for Christ, whose purpose is to spread the Gospel and advocates the building of new churches in the United States and worldwide. "We want to help build spiritual movements among leaders so their influence can be used by God to draw people everywhere to himself," reads one passage on their website. Commission member Bishop Kenneth Ulmer is nominally a Baptist, but his form of Christianity ("the Full Gospel Baptist Church") embraces speaking in tongues, experiencing prophetic visions, and expressing piety via "charismatic utterances." This group of faithful allies is hardly the appropriate assembly to curb the moral and criminal abuses of their friends.
Chair of the commission Michael Batts set the tone for a lack of serious review when he said "We hope solutions will be accomplished by improved self-regulation by churches and faith-based nonprofits themselves, and not by burdensome outside regulation." It's time we impose some outside regulation in order to shine a light on the unethical practices of these churches.
Yesterday, in a letter to the Internal Revenue Service, Americans United for Separation of Church and State called for an investigation into Tom Brown Ministries in El Paso, Texas. Apparently Pastor Tom Brown, in violation of his organization's public charity tax status, endorsed the recall of Mayor John Cook and El Paso City Council Members Steve Ortega and Susie Byrd because they support extending health care benefits to domestic partners. Perhaps Pastor Brown is putting a new twist on the gospel of love: Love thy neighbors but don't let them have access to basic health care. Yet Pastor Tom is no ascetic, he's among those preaching the good old Prosperity Gospel. Isn't it about time Americans woke-up to this scam?
From Ted Haggard to Eddie Long, American church empires are no strangers to corruption. But while sex scandals are splashed across the headlines, code infringements and financial scandals more frequently fly under the radar. According to Villanova University researchers in 2006, 85 percent of U.S. dioceses detected embezzlement over the previous five years. IRS code infringements are also becoming frequent, and even fashionable. In September, over 100 pastors across the country participated in "Pulpit Freedom Sunday." The event was dedicated to the support of political candidates through church sermons, a violation for any organization holding a 501(c)3 classification. The IRS, however, was slow to respond.
In an effort to address the growing issue, Senator Charles Grassley, a conservative Senator from Iowa, embarked on a courageous three year investigation into the seriously flawed financial practices of six megachurches. Unfortunately Senator Grassley fell short of enacting anything that would address continued abuses in the churches that he uncovered.
Maybe it was pressure from his fundamentalist colleagues, or a reconsideration of how his investigations put religion in such a poor light, but Senator Grassley took an unfortunate leap backwards when he turned over his report earlier this year to a commission formed by the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability. The ECFA Commission on Accountability and Policy for Religious Organizations is composed solely of evangelical Christians, many of whom are ministers or involved in religious universities. They've been tasked to look into the special privileges churches receive from the IRS tax code such as exemption from filing returns with the IRS, advance notice of IRS audits of their organization, and parsonage allowance, which enables ministers to write off the cost of their housing from taxes.
The ECFA has existed for decades with seemingly little impact on curbing the abuses of churches and ministers, so why would they be a good choice in this instance? They may not be a good choice for those who are committed to reform, but they are the perfect choice for those interested in burying the issue.
Among the 14 men on the 15 person commission is Mark Rutland, also President of Oral Roberts University. Rutland was asked to take over after Richard Roberts (son of Oral) and his family was accused of vast abuses of university resources, from accusations of shepherding Richard's daughter to the Bahamas using the university's jet to reports that Lindsay, Richard's wife, spent tens of thousands of school dollars on clothing and other personal items. And it was Oral Roberts, after all, who developed and popularized the concept of "Seed faith" money, the reprehensible practice of encouraging believers to donate money to the church to appease God and earn His favor financially as well as spiritually. Roberts continually described this as an "investment" in both the church and the believer's own prosperity. More scrupulous persons might call this "fraud."
Other commission members are conveniently familiar with radical evangelist empires. Mark Holbrook is president of the Evangelical Christian Credit Union with $3.2 billion in assets handling the banking for ministries around the world. Stephen Douglass is president of the Campus Crusade for Christ, whose purpose is to spread the Gospel and advocates the building of new churches in the United States and worldwide. "We want to help build spiritual movements among leaders so their influence can be used by God to draw people everywhere to himself," reads one passage on their website. Commission member Bishop Kenneth Ulmer is nominally a Baptist, but his form of Christianity ("the Full Gospel Baptist Church") embraces speaking in tongues, experiencing prophetic visions, and expressing piety via "charismatic utterances." This group of faithful allies is hardly the appropriate assembly to curb the moral and criminal abuses of their friends.
Chair of the commission Michael Batts set the tone for a lack of serious review when he said "We hope solutions will be accomplished by improved self-regulation by churches and faith-based nonprofits themselves, and not by burdensome outside regulation." It's time we impose some outside regulation in order to shine a light on the unethical practices of these churches.
Former LEUSD Spokesman Admits Embezzlement in Colorado
FROM http://lakeelsinore-wildomar.patch.co/ -
A former Lake Elsinore Unified School District official on Thursday admitted embezzling nearly $5,000 from a district purchasing account and was immediately sentenced to 180 days local jail time.
Jose Carvajal, 30, was charged with one felony count of embezzlement of an amount more than $400 for stealing the money after his employment with the district ended in 2010.
At today's felony settlement conference hearing, Carvajal pleaded guilty and was sentenced, also receiving three years probation.
The jail time will be spent in the sheriff's weekender work-release program, according to court records.
Carvajal, who was out on $5,000 bail, got one day's credit for time served and only owes the sheriff 179 days, court records indicate.
The defendant took $4,909,54 from the Lake Elsinore Administrators and Professions (LEAP) bank account.
Carvajal was one of four people who had access to the account, used mainly to reimburse expenses accrued for the district out of pocket, according to papers filed with the court.
In January, Michael Taylor, the treasurer on the account, discovered 16 unauthorized transactions during a period from Dec. 23, 2010 to Jan. 21, according to a Declaration in Support of an Arrest Warrant filed in court.
Out of the 16 transactions, an investigator wrote in the affidavit, 15 of those were conducted in Lake Elslinore.
Also out of the 16 transactions, 15 of those were made for $300 and the last was made for $9.54, the investigator wrote.
The investigator further states in the affidavit that when records were compared, he determined that Carvajal used his ATM card to make the unauthorized transactions.
"In reviewing still images from the fraudulent ATM transactions, I found the person in all of the still images to be Jose ... Carvajal Jr.," wrote sheriff's Investigator Robert Cornett.
Carvajal served as a public information officer for the school district. Last fall he accepted a post with the Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District as a public information officer, but was let go during his probationary period in April.
A reason for his dismissal has never been supplied by water district officials.
Carvajal turned himself over to authorities May 3, and was later released on $5,000 bail.
He pleaded not guilty to one count of embezzlement of more than $400 at his arraignment June 28 and the judge left bail in place.
“The district has cooperated with local authorities about the LEAP account and information related to the case; our intent to prosecute rests on the facts of the situation, however unfortunate they may be,” said Mark Dennis, spokesman for the school district.
Before his hearing to determine a date for a pre-trial hearing, Carvajal paid the court $300, according to court records. He now owes the state $975.57, according to records.
A former Lake Elsinore Unified School District official on Thursday admitted embezzling nearly $5,000 from a district purchasing account and was immediately sentenced to 180 days local jail time.
Jose Carvajal, 30, was charged with one felony count of embezzlement of an amount more than $400 for stealing the money after his employment with the district ended in 2010.
At today's felony settlement conference hearing, Carvajal pleaded guilty and was sentenced, also receiving three years probation.
The jail time will be spent in the sheriff's weekender work-release program, according to court records.
Carvajal, who was out on $5,000 bail, got one day's credit for time served and only owes the sheriff 179 days, court records indicate.
The defendant took $4,909,54 from the Lake Elsinore Administrators and Professions (LEAP) bank account.
Carvajal was one of four people who had access to the account, used mainly to reimburse expenses accrued for the district out of pocket, according to papers filed with the court.
In January, Michael Taylor, the treasurer on the account, discovered 16 unauthorized transactions during a period from Dec. 23, 2010 to Jan. 21, according to a Declaration in Support of an Arrest Warrant filed in court.
Out of the 16 transactions, an investigator wrote in the affidavit, 15 of those were conducted in Lake Elslinore.
Also out of the 16 transactions, 15 of those were made for $300 and the last was made for $9.54, the investigator wrote.
The investigator further states in the affidavit that when records were compared, he determined that Carvajal used his ATM card to make the unauthorized transactions.
"In reviewing still images from the fraudulent ATM transactions, I found the person in all of the still images to be Jose ... Carvajal Jr.," wrote sheriff's Investigator Robert Cornett.
Carvajal served as a public information officer for the school district. Last fall he accepted a post with the Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District as a public information officer, but was let go during his probationary period in April.
A reason for his dismissal has never been supplied by water district officials.
Carvajal turned himself over to authorities May 3, and was later released on $5,000 bail.
He pleaded not guilty to one count of embezzlement of more than $400 at his arraignment June 28 and the judge left bail in place.
“The district has cooperated with local authorities about the LEAP account and information related to the case; our intent to prosecute rests on the facts of the situation, however unfortunate they may be,” said Mark Dennis, spokesman for the school district.
Before his hearing to determine a date for a pre-trial hearing, Carvajal paid the court $300, according to court records. He now owes the state $975.57, according to records.
Ex-Jefferson Parish school employee pleads guilty in plot to embezzle school funds in Louisiana
A former employee of the Jefferson Parish Public School System has pleaded guilty to conspiring to embezzle school funds.
Prosecutors say 52-year-old Geselle Savoy, who was a testing technician for the Jefferson Parish schools, received 50 unauthorized payments from the school system totaling nearly $38,000.
The resident of Alamogordo, N.M., faces a maximum of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine following her guilty plea Thursday to one count of conspiring to commit federal program fraud.
Savoy allegedly submitted fraudulent payroll documents so she and other school employees would be paid for unauthorized work.
Her sentencing is set for Oct. 12.
Prosecutors say 52-year-old Geselle Savoy, who was a testing technician for the Jefferson Parish schools, received 50 unauthorized payments from the school system totaling nearly $38,000.
The resident of Alamogordo, N.M., faces a maximum of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine following her guilty plea Thursday to one count of conspiring to commit federal program fraud.
Savoy allegedly submitted fraudulent payroll documents so she and other school employees would be paid for unauthorized work.
Her sentencing is set for Oct. 12.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Aberdeen, Washington embezzler sentenced to carry guilty sign
FROM THE COLUMBIAN.COM-
A woman who pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $10,000 from the Aberdeen High School music boosters group has been sentenced to spend 10 days at a downtown intersection holding a sign saying, "I stole from kids."
Sixty-four--year-old Charlotte A. Button also was sentenced last week to two months in jail.
The Daily World reports her lawyer is appealing the part of the sentence that requires her to stand on the corner with the sign.
A woman who pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $10,000 from the Aberdeen High School music boosters group has been sentenced to spend 10 days at a downtown intersection holding a sign saying, "I stole from kids."
Sixty-four--year-old Charlotte A. Button also was sentenced last week to two months in jail.
The Daily World reports her lawyer is appealing the part of the sentence that requires her to stand on the corner with the sign.
Ex-Skiatook, Oklahoma superintendent pleads guilty to bribery charges
FROM TULSAWORLD.COM-
Former Skiatook Public Schools superintendent Gary Johnson pleaded guilty Wednesday to four new charges of accepting cash bribes totaling $10,000 from an Oklahoma City vendor for district custodial supplies and security equipment.
Also filed this morning were four charges of bribery of a public official/employee against the vendor, Rick Enos, who is accused of bribing Johnson for the same amounts.
Johnson, in a written statement released after his plea before District Judge Tom Gillert, said his actions "represent a breach of the trust that had been placed in me by the students, parents, teachers and officials in Skiatook."
Indictments unsealed in June 2010 accused Johnson, 56, of embezzlement and bribery of a public official in connection with a state audit that found overspending by the school district for supplies and equipment.
The indictments were returned four months after a state audit found that the school district paid Enos -- through his Oklahoma City companies E&E Sales and Austin Security -- $570,000 more than it would have paid for custodial supplies and security equipment had it bought them directly.
Tulsa District Attorney Tim Harris said Wednesday that he was dismissing charges connected with the indictment in exchange for Johnson waiving his right to a preliminary hearing and pleading guilty to the new counts, which allege Johnson accepted bribes on four occasions between Jan. 10, 2008, and December 15, 2008.
The cash amounts were $2,000 (Jan. 10, 2008), $2,500 (June 9, 2008), $3,000 (Aug. 14, 2008) and $2,500 (Dec. 15, 2008).
"When my actions initially came to light, my first reaction was to deny, rationalize and attempt to explain them away," Johnson said in his written statement. "This only compounded the problem I had caused. I soon realized that the only thing to do was to admit what I had done and attempt to rectify the situation, accepting whatever punishment is deemed appropriate. I apologize to everyone who has been affected by my actions, and I hope for their eventual forgiveness."
Johnson, who remains free on bail, entered a "blind" plea, meaning no agreement has been reached regarding his punishment. Each count carries a prison sentence upon conviction of up to 10 years and fines $5,000 per count.
“I believe that Gary Johnson has accepted responsibility for his criminal activity,” Harris said.
“We want justice for the taxpayers. We want justice for the children that suffered because of his actions. He understands that. I understand that.”
The cash exchanges between Johnson and Enos normally occurred at Johnson’s administrative office in Skiatook, although other exchanges occurred in Norman, Oklahoma City, Dallas and Seattle, Wash., documents show.
It was understood that the give-and-take was to be kept secret and that Johnson was to continue to recommend that the school district order janitorial supplies and security equipment from Enos, E&E Sales and Austin Security, records indicate.
Johnson failed to check the prices of the supplies and didn’t encourage the district to bid out the supplies to ensure the lowest prices, documents show.
Harris said Johnson is cooperating with state authorities and with a federal investigation that is looking into Johnson, Enos and the Skiatook school system.
Johnson began doing business with E&E Sales about 13 years ago when he worked as a principal in Elmore City, Okla., and the friendship continued when Johnson came to Skiatook a few years later, according to an affidavit filed by Ronald R. Emmons, a certified public accountant and certified fraud examiner.
Gillert, who withheld a finding of guilt, scheduled sentencing for Oct. 17.
An arrest warrant was issued Wednesday for Enos, 58.
Former Skiatook Public Schools superintendent Gary Johnson pleaded guilty Wednesday to four new charges of accepting cash bribes totaling $10,000 from an Oklahoma City vendor for district custodial supplies and security equipment.
Also filed this morning were four charges of bribery of a public official/employee against the vendor, Rick Enos, who is accused of bribing Johnson for the same amounts.
Johnson, in a written statement released after his plea before District Judge Tom Gillert, said his actions "represent a breach of the trust that had been placed in me by the students, parents, teachers and officials in Skiatook."
Indictments unsealed in June 2010 accused Johnson, 56, of embezzlement and bribery of a public official in connection with a state audit that found overspending by the school district for supplies and equipment.
The indictments were returned four months after a state audit found that the school district paid Enos -- through his Oklahoma City companies E&E Sales and Austin Security -- $570,000 more than it would have paid for custodial supplies and security equipment had it bought them directly.
Tulsa District Attorney Tim Harris said Wednesday that he was dismissing charges connected with the indictment in exchange for Johnson waiving his right to a preliminary hearing and pleading guilty to the new counts, which allege Johnson accepted bribes on four occasions between Jan. 10, 2008, and December 15, 2008.
The cash amounts were $2,000 (Jan. 10, 2008), $2,500 (June 9, 2008), $3,000 (Aug. 14, 2008) and $2,500 (Dec. 15, 2008).
"When my actions initially came to light, my first reaction was to deny, rationalize and attempt to explain them away," Johnson said in his written statement. "This only compounded the problem I had caused. I soon realized that the only thing to do was to admit what I had done and attempt to rectify the situation, accepting whatever punishment is deemed appropriate. I apologize to everyone who has been affected by my actions, and I hope for their eventual forgiveness."
Johnson, who remains free on bail, entered a "blind" plea, meaning no agreement has been reached regarding his punishment. Each count carries a prison sentence upon conviction of up to 10 years and fines $5,000 per count.
“I believe that Gary Johnson has accepted responsibility for his criminal activity,” Harris said.
“We want justice for the taxpayers. We want justice for the children that suffered because of his actions. He understands that. I understand that.”
The cash exchanges between Johnson and Enos normally occurred at Johnson’s administrative office in Skiatook, although other exchanges occurred in Norman, Oklahoma City, Dallas and Seattle, Wash., documents show.
It was understood that the give-and-take was to be kept secret and that Johnson was to continue to recommend that the school district order janitorial supplies and security equipment from Enos, E&E Sales and Austin Security, records indicate.
Johnson failed to check the prices of the supplies and didn’t encourage the district to bid out the supplies to ensure the lowest prices, documents show.
Harris said Johnson is cooperating with state authorities and with a federal investigation that is looking into Johnson, Enos and the Skiatook school system.
Johnson began doing business with E&E Sales about 13 years ago when he worked as a principal in Elmore City, Okla., and the friendship continued when Johnson came to Skiatook a few years later, according to an affidavit filed by Ronald R. Emmons, a certified public accountant and certified fraud examiner.
Gillert, who withheld a finding of guilt, scheduled sentencing for Oct. 17.
An arrest warrant was issued Wednesday for Enos, 58.
Leader of Sovereign Grace Ministries Takes Leave of Absence
FROM KIIITV.COM-
The president of Sovereign GraceMinistries is taking a leave of absence to deal with charges made
against him by former ministry leaders and pastors.
In a letter on the denomination's web site, C.J. Mahaney says the charges do not involve "immorality or financial impropriety."
But he says former colleagues have faulted him for "expressions of pride, unentreatability, deceit, sinful judgment, and hypocrisy."Mahaney writes, "I have been grieved by my sin and its effects
on others," and adds that he has confessed to some of those he hurt and has asked for their forgiveness.
Joshua Harris, pastor of Sovereign Grace's founding church in Maryland, told his congregation Sunday that the "entire denomination is being publicly spanked." Harris said he and other Sovereign Grace leaders share responsibility and will ask an outside panel to review the ministry's past and present practices.
The president of Sovereign GraceMinistries is taking a leave of absence to deal with charges made
against him by former ministry leaders and pastors.
In a letter on the denomination's web site, C.J. Mahaney says the charges do not involve "immorality or financial impropriety."
But he says former colleagues have faulted him for "expressions of pride, unentreatability, deceit, sinful judgment, and hypocrisy."Mahaney writes, "I have been grieved by my sin and its effects
on others," and adds that he has confessed to some of those he hurt and has asked for their forgiveness.
Joshua Harris, pastor of Sovereign Grace's founding church in Maryland, told his congregation Sunday that the "entire denomination is being publicly spanked." Harris said he and other Sovereign Grace leaders share responsibility and will ask an outside panel to review the ministry's past and present practices.
Redding, California board discusses arrested librarian; new schools chief addresses public concerns
FROM REDDING.COM-
Redding School District's new Superintendent Rick Fauss had his first meeting with the board of trustees Tuesday with only one topic on the agenda: school Librarian Wanell Stolz, who is accused of embezzlement and grand theft.
Fauss said one of the most important issues facing the district is addressing the public's perception of the district since Stolz was arrested last summer.
"I've been here seven days, and there hasn't been a day that I haven't talked about that," Fauss said Tuesday afternoon before his meeting with trustees.
He said there have been four or five people who have approached him to talk about the Stolz case since he started working for the district this month.
"I think public perception is a really big deal," Fauss said. "Public perception is a huge deal in a school district." The board met in closed session late Tuesday afternoon to discuss a "public employee discipline/dismissal/release/complaint," according to the agenda, which did not name Stolz. The board met in closed session for about an hour and 10 minutes. After returning from closed session, board President Denise Yergenson said they had taken no action to report in open session.
Fauss, who comes from the Newman-Crows Landing Unified School District in Stanislaus County, began working for the district earlier this month. He replaces Diane Kempley, who had been superintendent since 2005.
Before the meeting, Fauss said he could not say what action, if any, should be taken in the Stolz case because it is a personnel issue that could not be discussed in public.
Stolz was arrested last August when police served a search warrant at her home. She was charged with embezzling about $13,500 while she was treasurer of the Sycamore Elementary School Parent Faculty Club. She also is accused of stealing district property. Stolz has pleaded not guilty, and her trial is set to start Aug. 9.
At the time of her arrest, Stolz's husband, Rein Stolz, was president of the district board of trustees. Shortly after she was arrested, Wanell Stolz voluntarily went on unpaid administrative leave for the entire 2010-11 school year, and her husband resigned from the board.
Last month the board approved laying off information specialist Nadina Darrah so Stolz could return from administrative leave and resume working at one of the schools in the district. The district calls its librarians information specialists.
After the board meeting Fauss said that he planned to begin working today to change public perception about the school district, but said he couldn't announce yet what action he would take.
The district needs to work to ensure parents, students and staff feel confident the district is providing a safe and quality learning environment for children, Fauss said.
"Until it's fully resolved, we need to do our job to ensure parents, kids and staff that we're providing the best learning environment we can," Fauss said, referring to Stolz's criminal case.
Heather Waldrop, president of the Cypress Elementary School's parent club, said she agreed the district faces important issues surrounding Stolz.
"I think it's a big, expensive problem in the district," Waldrop said, referring to a $76,000 investigative report the district paid to delve into personnel issues raised following Stolz's arrest.
"It's gotten a lot of parents upset, myself included. Yes, I think it's huge," Waldrop said.
To resolve the issue, Waldrop said she would like to get Cypress' former librarian back, and she wants the district to reassign Stolz to a job where she doesn't have contact with students and she doesn't work with money.
She said she was encouraged that Fauss was concerned about the public fallout over Stolz's arrest.
"It gives me hope," she said.
Redding School District's new Superintendent Rick Fauss had his first meeting with the board of trustees Tuesday with only one topic on the agenda: school Librarian Wanell Stolz, who is accused of embezzlement and grand theft.
Fauss said one of the most important issues facing the district is addressing the public's perception of the district since Stolz was arrested last summer.
"I've been here seven days, and there hasn't been a day that I haven't talked about that," Fauss said Tuesday afternoon before his meeting with trustees.
He said there have been four or five people who have approached him to talk about the Stolz case since he started working for the district this month.
"I think public perception is a really big deal," Fauss said. "Public perception is a huge deal in a school district." The board met in closed session late Tuesday afternoon to discuss a "public employee discipline/dismissal/release/complaint," according to the agenda, which did not name Stolz. The board met in closed session for about an hour and 10 minutes. After returning from closed session, board President Denise Yergenson said they had taken no action to report in open session.
Fauss, who comes from the Newman-Crows Landing Unified School District in Stanislaus County, began working for the district earlier this month. He replaces Diane Kempley, who had been superintendent since 2005.
Before the meeting, Fauss said he could not say what action, if any, should be taken in the Stolz case because it is a personnel issue that could not be discussed in public.
Stolz was arrested last August when police served a search warrant at her home. She was charged with embezzling about $13,500 while she was treasurer of the Sycamore Elementary School Parent Faculty Club. She also is accused of stealing district property. Stolz has pleaded not guilty, and her trial is set to start Aug. 9.
At the time of her arrest, Stolz's husband, Rein Stolz, was president of the district board of trustees. Shortly after she was arrested, Wanell Stolz voluntarily went on unpaid administrative leave for the entire 2010-11 school year, and her husband resigned from the board.
Last month the board approved laying off information specialist Nadina Darrah so Stolz could return from administrative leave and resume working at one of the schools in the district. The district calls its librarians information specialists.
After the board meeting Fauss said that he planned to begin working today to change public perception about the school district, but said he couldn't announce yet what action he would take.
The district needs to work to ensure parents, students and staff feel confident the district is providing a safe and quality learning environment for children, Fauss said.
"Until it's fully resolved, we need to do our job to ensure parents, kids and staff that we're providing the best learning environment we can," Fauss said, referring to Stolz's criminal case.
Heather Waldrop, president of the Cypress Elementary School's parent club, said she agreed the district faces important issues surrounding Stolz.
"I think it's a big, expensive problem in the district," Waldrop said, referring to a $76,000 investigative report the district paid to delve into personnel issues raised following Stolz's arrest.
"It's gotten a lot of parents upset, myself included. Yes, I think it's huge," Waldrop said.
To resolve the issue, Waldrop said she would like to get Cypress' former librarian back, and she wants the district to reassign Stolz to a job where she doesn't have contact with students and she doesn't work with money.
She said she was encouraged that Fauss was concerned about the public fallout over Stolz's arrest.
"It gives me hope," she said.
Former Proctor school employee sentenced for embezzling in Vermont
FROM THE BURLINGTONFREEPRESS.COM-
A former administrative assistant at Proctor High School will serve 14 months in prison for embezzling more than $106,000 from student activity funds between 2007 and 2009.
Deborah Clough of Proctor, appearing for sentencing Tuesday before Chief Judge Christina Reiss at U.S. District Court in Rutland, also was ordered to pay $111,000 to the school’s insurance carrier, which reimbursed the school for the lost money. The $111,000 includes a $5,000 deductible fee paid by the school.
Reiss also ordered Clough to pay $19,440 to the Internal Revenue Service, based on the income she diverted to her own use.
Clough was arrested in March and immediately agreed to plead guilty to embezzlement and tax-fraud charges. In an interview with the Burlington Free Press at the time, she blamed her conduct on a “shopping addiction” and other personal issues.
“I’m really, really sorry. I wish it didn’t happen. I’m trying to make restitution,” Clough said at the time.
According to court papers, Clough wrote checks to herself from the high school’s student activity fund and fabricated other supporting documents to make the transactions appear proper.
Clough was hired by the school in August 2006. Her responsibilities included “general accounting and bookkeeping activities such as preparing purchase orders and requisitions, ordering supplies and preparing invoices for payments,” according to court papers.
She also prepared and printed school checks and had access to the school safe, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said in a statement.
At Tuesday’s sentencing, Proctor principal June Sargent told Reiss that Clough had been a trusted employee who had taken advantage of the school. Clough, in a statement read by her attorney, apologized for her actions, Assistant U.S. Attorney Eugenia Cowles said.
Clough will begin serving her prison sentence Aug. 23.
A former administrative assistant at Proctor High School will serve 14 months in prison for embezzling more than $106,000 from student activity funds between 2007 and 2009.
Deborah Clough of Proctor, appearing for sentencing Tuesday before Chief Judge Christina Reiss at U.S. District Court in Rutland, also was ordered to pay $111,000 to the school’s insurance carrier, which reimbursed the school for the lost money. The $111,000 includes a $5,000 deductible fee paid by the school.
Reiss also ordered Clough to pay $19,440 to the Internal Revenue Service, based on the income she diverted to her own use.
Clough was arrested in March and immediately agreed to plead guilty to embezzlement and tax-fraud charges. In an interview with the Burlington Free Press at the time, she blamed her conduct on a “shopping addiction” and other personal issues.
“I’m really, really sorry. I wish it didn’t happen. I’m trying to make restitution,” Clough said at the time.
According to court papers, Clough wrote checks to herself from the high school’s student activity fund and fabricated other supporting documents to make the transactions appear proper.
Clough was hired by the school in August 2006. Her responsibilities included “general accounting and bookkeeping activities such as preparing purchase orders and requisitions, ordering supplies and preparing invoices for payments,” according to court papers.
She also prepared and printed school checks and had access to the school safe, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said in a statement.
At Tuesday’s sentencing, Proctor principal June Sargent told Reiss that Clough had been a trusted employee who had taken advantage of the school. Clough, in a statement read by her attorney, apologized for her actions, Assistant U.S. Attorney Eugenia Cowles said.
Clough will begin serving her prison sentence Aug. 23.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Minister indicted for embezzlement in New Mexico
FROM RUIDOSONEWS.COM -
A former Ruidoso minister has been indicted for embezzling more than $20,000 from area churches.
A grand jury returned the indictment against Kevin Krohn Friday for embezzlement of more than $20,000 and conspiracy to commit embezzlement.
Deputy District Attorney Reed Thompson said on Monday that "$20,000 is what we have to prove."
"There may have been as much as $150,000," Thompson said.
Embezzlement of more than $20,000 is a second-degree felony.
"Kevin Krohn has dedicated his life to the ministry and he maintains his innocence," attorney Angie K. Schneider-Cook said Tuesday. "Mr. Krohn is represented by the Bryant, Schneider-Cook Law Firm and we have faith that he will be exonerated by a jury of his peers."
Krohn is charged with embezzlement of funds from the Lincoln County Ministerial Alliance, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, where he served as pastor for more than 20 years, and numerous other area churches between Jan. 1, 2000, and Sept. 14, 2010.
Krohn also is charged with conspiracy to commit embezzlement between March 26, 2006, and Sept. 14, 2010.
"Regardless of how any other person is charged, he (Krohn) is the primary person responsible," Thompson said.
Thompson said another person might be charged with helping Krohn convert the funds.
Krohn is set for arraignment in District Court in Carrizozo July 22.
A former Ruidoso minister has been indicted for embezzling more than $20,000 from area churches.
A grand jury returned the indictment against Kevin Krohn Friday for embezzlement of more than $20,000 and conspiracy to commit embezzlement.
Deputy District Attorney Reed Thompson said on Monday that "$20,000 is what we have to prove."
"There may have been as much as $150,000," Thompson said.
Embezzlement of more than $20,000 is a second-degree felony.
"Kevin Krohn has dedicated his life to the ministry and he maintains his innocence," attorney Angie K. Schneider-Cook said Tuesday. "Mr. Krohn is represented by the Bryant, Schneider-Cook Law Firm and we have faith that he will be exonerated by a jury of his peers."
Krohn is charged with embezzlement of funds from the Lincoln County Ministerial Alliance, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, where he served as pastor for more than 20 years, and numerous other area churches between Jan. 1, 2000, and Sept. 14, 2010.
Krohn also is charged with conspiracy to commit embezzlement between March 26, 2006, and Sept. 14, 2010.
"Regardless of how any other person is charged, he (Krohn) is the primary person responsible," Thompson said.
Thompson said another person might be charged with helping Krohn convert the funds.
Krohn is set for arraignment in District Court in Carrizozo July 22.
Loudoun, Virginia embezzler says ex-mistress blackmailed him
FROM THE WASHINGTONPOST.COM-
Last year, one of the top executives of a Korean church charity was arrested in Loudoun County for allegedly stealing more than $700,000 intended for missionary work around the globe. It appeared he may have been living a “lavish lifestyle,” possibly with a mistress set up in an Annandale apartment, authorities said.
Now comes the explanation of Eun Tae Lee, at his sentencing in Loudoun last month: His former mistress threatened to reveal their affair to his wife, and he was paying blackmail money to her, according to Bonnie Hobbs in the Centre View.
Lee, 51, who lived in a Fair Oaks area townhouse with his wife, pleaded guilty in March to three counts of embezzlement. His lawyer said the actual amount of money stolen was $471,766, from Seed International Inc., a non-profit missionary group based in Sterling but funded by the giant Korean Central Presbyterian Church of Vienna. Lee was the chief administrative officer of Seed, state records showed, and witnesses at a preliminary hearing last year said he controlled the charity’s checkbook.
Lee bought a Porsche Cayenne and another luxury vehicle with the stolen cash, and prosecutors demanded full restitution. At sentencing, Lee’s lawyer, Jay Myerson, told Loudoun Circuit Court Judge Thomas Horne that Lee had an affair in 2003. “When he saw [the woman] years later in church, she blackmailed him,” Myerson told the judge. “She said she’d confront his wife if he didn’t give her assistance. At some point, he wanted to stop; but by then, he was in too deep.”
Virginia sentencing guidelines called for probation for Lee (!!), who apologized and expressed deep regret. Horne sentenced him to one year behind bars and full restitution of the $471,766. “This money was to be used for good works,” the judge told Lee, “but it was just used for somebody’s pleasure — even if you were being blackmailed.”
Last year, one of the top executives of a Korean church charity was arrested in Loudoun County for allegedly stealing more than $700,000 intended for missionary work around the globe. It appeared he may have been living a “lavish lifestyle,” possibly with a mistress set up in an Annandale apartment, authorities said.
Now comes the explanation of Eun Tae Lee, at his sentencing in Loudoun last month: His former mistress threatened to reveal their affair to his wife, and he was paying blackmail money to her, according to Bonnie Hobbs in the Centre View.
Lee, 51, who lived in a Fair Oaks area townhouse with his wife, pleaded guilty in March to three counts of embezzlement. His lawyer said the actual amount of money stolen was $471,766, from Seed International Inc., a non-profit missionary group based in Sterling but funded by the giant Korean Central Presbyterian Church of Vienna. Lee was the chief administrative officer of Seed, state records showed, and witnesses at a preliminary hearing last year said he controlled the charity’s checkbook.
Lee bought a Porsche Cayenne and another luxury vehicle with the stolen cash, and prosecutors demanded full restitution. At sentencing, Lee’s lawyer, Jay Myerson, told Loudoun Circuit Court Judge Thomas Horne that Lee had an affair in 2003. “When he saw [the woman] years later in church, she blackmailed him,” Myerson told the judge. “She said she’d confront his wife if he didn’t give her assistance. At some point, he wanted to stop; but by then, he was in too deep.”
Virginia sentencing guidelines called for probation for Lee (!!), who apologized and expressed deep regret. Horne sentenced him to one year behind bars and full restitution of the $471,766. “This money was to be used for good works,” the judge told Lee, “but it was just used for somebody’s pleasure — even if you were being blackmailed.”
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Court update on church embezzlement in Gaston, North Carolina
FROM GASTONGAZETTE.COM-
A court case involving two people accused of embezzling from a Gaston church has been continued.
Originally scheduled to be heard on July 5 in courtroom 4C at the Gaston County Courthouse, the case against Gastonia residents Alan Eugene Roland, 55, and Linda Guffie Roland, 55, has been continued until July 18, said Gaston County District Attorney Locke Bell.
The Roland’s are accused of embezzling $366,156 over a three-year period from Way of the Cross Baptist Church.
They each face two counts of embezzlement and one count of conspiracy after being arrested on Aug. 11, 2010, according to arrest records.
In August 2010, The Gazette reported that the Roland’s allegedly used their positions as church treasurer and assistant treasurer to embezzle money belonging to the church by writing checks from the church’s bank accounts to themselves, according to a warrant affidavit written by Mount Holly Police Detective L.M. Addis.
“Hopefully we’ll get it resolved soon,” Bell said.
A court case involving two people accused of embezzling from a Gaston church has been continued.
Originally scheduled to be heard on July 5 in courtroom 4C at the Gaston County Courthouse, the case against Gastonia residents Alan Eugene Roland, 55, and Linda Guffie Roland, 55, has been continued until July 18, said Gaston County District Attorney Locke Bell.
The Roland’s are accused of embezzling $366,156 over a three-year period from Way of the Cross Baptist Church.
They each face two counts of embezzlement and one count of conspiracy after being arrested on Aug. 11, 2010, according to arrest records.
In August 2010, The Gazette reported that the Roland’s allegedly used their positions as church treasurer and assistant treasurer to embezzle money belonging to the church by writing checks from the church’s bank accounts to themselves, according to a warrant affidavit written by Mount Holly Police Detective L.M. Addis.
“Hopefully we’ll get it resolved soon,” Bell said.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Ex-official apologizes for crimes in California PTO case
Those who knew Vanessa Reyes when she was president of Trace Elementary's parent-teacher organization were shocked that someone so trusted and well-liked at the school could have embezzled thousands of dollars from the PTO without any apparent sign of remorse.
But on Friday, Reyes gave a tearful apology to Trace Parent Teacher Organization members -- and former friends -- as a judge considered her punishment for spending more than $20,000 of the group's funds on personal expenses including running shoes, a Legoland trip and iTunes purchases.
"I'm truly sorry to all of you," said Vanessa Reyes, 40, turning from the microphone to address those sitting behind her. Reyes pleaded no contest to charges of felony grand theft in May.
A visibly emotional Reyes acknowledged that "there's a lot of anger and hurt" as a result of the theft and that "there was a dark side" to her actions.
"It's hard for me to understand your case," Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Ron Del Pozzo said. He told her he could have understood if the money had gone to house payments or to support her four children, but he called the purchases at such stores as Ann Taylor extravagant and unnecessary.
"I saw 'Confessions of a Shopaholic' and that's the closest I can come to understanding," Del Pozzo said.
Reyes, who has since moved to San Gabriel, had been scheduled for sentencing on Friday, but the judge postponed the sentence to allow Reyes to pay $5,000 in additional restitution to the parent-teacher organization.
Reyes has paid back the amount stolen plus interest as part of the plea agreement. She agreed to pay the additional funds on the judge's recommendation.
PTO board member Elizabeth Leamy, who acknowledged that she and Reyes used to be close, said the embezzlement hurt the school.
"It's more than just the money -- it's all these children's lives," she said. "I'm still in disbelief."
For Leamy, Reyes' actions require more than just a donation to the school. She said it was hard to accept that Reyes "can just write a check this afternoon and be done with it."
Reyes' attorney John Falcocchia said that at the July 22 sentencing, the judge will consider proof of Reyes' additional payment. Falcocchia expects his client will be faced with a sentencing alternative such as community service.
After the sentencing was postponed, Reyes and Leamy spoke privately. Reyes had wanted to apologize, Falcocchia said, adding that Friday's exchange gave some needed closure.
Reyes was arrested along with Anne Zingale, 48, a former treasurer of the Trace Home and School Club who's accused of spending $28,000 of the group's money.
But on Friday, Reyes gave a tearful apology to Trace Parent Teacher Organization members -- and former friends -- as a judge considered her punishment for spending more than $20,000 of the group's funds on personal expenses including running shoes, a Legoland trip and iTunes purchases.
"I'm truly sorry to all of you," said Vanessa Reyes, 40, turning from the microphone to address those sitting behind her. Reyes pleaded no contest to charges of felony grand theft in May.
A visibly emotional Reyes acknowledged that "there's a lot of anger and hurt" as a result of the theft and that "there was a dark side" to her actions.
"It's hard for me to understand your case," Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Ron Del Pozzo said. He told her he could have understood if the money had gone to house payments or to support her four children, but he called the purchases at such stores as Ann Taylor extravagant and unnecessary.
"I saw 'Confessions of a Shopaholic' and that's the closest I can come to understanding," Del Pozzo said.
Reyes, who has since moved to San Gabriel, had been scheduled for sentencing on Friday, but the judge postponed the sentence to allow Reyes to pay $5,000 in additional restitution to the parent-teacher organization.
Reyes has paid back the amount stolen plus interest as part of the plea agreement. She agreed to pay the additional funds on the judge's recommendation.
PTO board member Elizabeth Leamy, who acknowledged that she and Reyes used to be close, said the embezzlement hurt the school.
"It's more than just the money -- it's all these children's lives," she said. "I'm still in disbelief."
For Leamy, Reyes' actions require more than just a donation to the school. She said it was hard to accept that Reyes "can just write a check this afternoon and be done with it."
Reyes' attorney John Falcocchia said that at the July 22 sentencing, the judge will consider proof of Reyes' additional payment. Falcocchia expects his client will be faced with a sentencing alternative such as community service.
After the sentencing was postponed, Reyes and Leamy spoke privately. Reyes had wanted to apologize, Falcocchia said, adding that Friday's exchange gave some needed closure.
Reyes was arrested along with Anne Zingale, 48, a former treasurer of the Trace Home and School Club who's accused of spending $28,000 of the group's money.
New workship center security program starting in St. Peters, Missouri
FROM http://www.stltoday.com/-
St. Peters police are starting a sort of neighborhood watch program to help houses of worship deal with crime.
Officer Melissa Doss plans a session July 16 to educate religious leaders on security procedures that could help them prevent theft, violence, embezzlement and other crimes. She said churches and other religious centers often are considered soft targets for criminals.
Their nature is to be open and inviting to anybody who walks through their doors," Doss said.
Doss said simple steps such as greeting everyone who enters a building and keeping rear or side entrances locked can make it harder for thieves who might want to steal musical instruments, computers or cash. Houses of worship should try to make the risks outweigh the rewards for a potential crime, she said.
Doss said she also will talk to leaders about background checks for people who work with children and accounting methods that can catch fraud or embezzlement.
She also hopes to help religious leaders share information with each other about crimes they have encountered in their congregations.
Several area police departments have similar programs in place. O'Fallon, Mo., Officer Phil Hardin said his department started Church Watch in August 2008 with a kickoff meeting attended by representatives of 14 congregations. Nearly 20 participate now, he said.
Hardin said partnerships between police and churches not only can prevent crime but also can make it easier to help people who find themselves in desperate need late at night or on weekends when other service agencies may be closed.
The Creve Coeur Police Department started working with houses of worship many years ago, said Officer Jonathan McIntosh. He said the partnerships also can help places like churches prepare for emergencies.
"During disasters, churches become centers not just of faith but centers of the community," he said.
Officer Rick Eckhard said St. Louis County police invite religious organizations to join their Business Watch program, and members can receive training during citizen police academies, the next of which begins Aug. 3.
Erica Van Ross, spokeswoman for the St. Louis Police Department, said Sgt. Catherine Dennis provides training for houses of worship through the Community Outreach Unit.
Roger Richards, director of the Southwestern Illinois Law Enforcement Commission, said his organization offered security programs after a church shooting in Marvyille in 2009. Terry Joe Sedlacek is charged with fatally shooting the Rev. Fred Winters during a service at First Baptist Church of Maryville. He also is accused of stabbing two other church members who rushed to Winters' aid.
Doss said a violent incident in March pushed her to move forward with plans to help houses of worship. Hallucinations from fake marijuana allegedly drove a man to attack two people at First Baptist Church in St. Peters on March 29.
Violent episodes might be relatively rare in religious buildings, Doss said, but thefts aren't as uncommon.
Criminals don't care," she said. "They look for the easiest marks."
St. Peters police are starting a sort of neighborhood watch program to help houses of worship deal with crime.
Officer Melissa Doss plans a session July 16 to educate religious leaders on security procedures that could help them prevent theft, violence, embezzlement and other crimes. She said churches and other religious centers often are considered soft targets for criminals.
Their nature is to be open and inviting to anybody who walks through their doors," Doss said.
Doss said simple steps such as greeting everyone who enters a building and keeping rear or side entrances locked can make it harder for thieves who might want to steal musical instruments, computers or cash. Houses of worship should try to make the risks outweigh the rewards for a potential crime, she said.
Doss said she also will talk to leaders about background checks for people who work with children and accounting methods that can catch fraud or embezzlement.
She also hopes to help religious leaders share information with each other about crimes they have encountered in their congregations.
Several area police departments have similar programs in place. O'Fallon, Mo., Officer Phil Hardin said his department started Church Watch in August 2008 with a kickoff meeting attended by representatives of 14 congregations. Nearly 20 participate now, he said.
Hardin said partnerships between police and churches not only can prevent crime but also can make it easier to help people who find themselves in desperate need late at night or on weekends when other service agencies may be closed.
The Creve Coeur Police Department started working with houses of worship many years ago, said Officer Jonathan McIntosh. He said the partnerships also can help places like churches prepare for emergencies.
"During disasters, churches become centers not just of faith but centers of the community," he said.
Officer Rick Eckhard said St. Louis County police invite religious organizations to join their Business Watch program, and members can receive training during citizen police academies, the next of which begins Aug. 3.
Erica Van Ross, spokeswoman for the St. Louis Police Department, said Sgt. Catherine Dennis provides training for houses of worship through the Community Outreach Unit.
Roger Richards, director of the Southwestern Illinois Law Enforcement Commission, said his organization offered security programs after a church shooting in Marvyille in 2009. Terry Joe Sedlacek is charged with fatally shooting the Rev. Fred Winters during a service at First Baptist Church of Maryville. He also is accused of stabbing two other church members who rushed to Winters' aid.
Doss said a violent incident in March pushed her to move forward with plans to help houses of worship. Hallucinations from fake marijuana allegedly drove a man to attack two people at First Baptist Church in St. Peters on March 29.
Violent episodes might be relatively rare in religious buildings, Doss said, but thefts aren't as uncommon.
Criminals don't care," she said. "They look for the easiest marks."
Friday, July 8, 2011
Priest won't do prison time for embezzlement from Hudson, Wisconsin church
A priest from northwest Wisconsin will not go to jail-or-prison for stealing $10,000 from his former church.
68-year-old Reverend Daniel Dahlberg was put on two years’ probation – and he must perform 100 hours of community service as part of a plea deal. Authorities said Dahlberg gambled the money away, after he stole it from an account at Saint Patrick Church that helps needy families.
District Attorney Eric Johnson said Dahlberg has paid $13,000 in restitution to the church – and that’s a big reason he escaped incarceration. The DA said good people do bad-or-dumb things sometimes. Defense lawyer James Remington said Dahlberg has completed a treatment program for his gambling habit. He left the Hudson church soon before he was charged in early April.
68-year-old Reverend Daniel Dahlberg was put on two years’ probation – and he must perform 100 hours of community service as part of a plea deal. Authorities said Dahlberg gambled the money away, after he stole it from an account at Saint Patrick Church that helps needy families.
District Attorney Eric Johnson said Dahlberg has paid $13,000 in restitution to the church – and that’s a big reason he escaped incarceration. The DA said good people do bad-or-dumb things sometimes. Defense lawyer James Remington said Dahlberg has completed a treatment program for his gambling habit. He left the Hudson church soon before he was charged in early April.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Delaware priest admits stealing hundreds of thousands from parishes
FROM COURIERPOSTONLINE.COM-
A Catholic priest has pleaded guilty to felony theft after being charged with embezzling more than $350,000 from two parishes of the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington.
The Rev. Cornelius Breslin entered the plea in New Castle County Superior Court on Wednesday, the same day he was to go to trial on charges of stealing from St. Patrick and St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception parishes.
The 59-year-old Breslin pleaded guilty to one count of felony theft over $100,000. Prosecutors agreed to drop a second theft count and two counts of falsifying business records.
Breslin will be sentenced Sept. 23, following a presentencing investigation. Sentencing guidelines call for up to one year in prison.
Breslin was indicted in February after diocesan officials reported suspicious financial activity to the attorney general's office.
A Catholic priest has pleaded guilty to felony theft after being charged with embezzling more than $350,000 from two parishes of the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington.
The Rev. Cornelius Breslin entered the plea in New Castle County Superior Court on Wednesday, the same day he was to go to trial on charges of stealing from St. Patrick and St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception parishes.
The 59-year-old Breslin pleaded guilty to one count of felony theft over $100,000. Prosecutors agreed to drop a second theft count and two counts of falsifying business records.
Breslin will be sentenced Sept. 23, following a presentencing investigation. Sentencing guidelines call for up to one year in prison.
Breslin was indicted in February after diocesan officials reported suspicious financial activity to the attorney general's office.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Embezzlement Yields a Year behind Bars in Virginia
FROM CONNECTIONNEWSPAPERS.COM-
They say a poor excuse is better than none, but in Eun Tae Lee’s case, it wasn’t helpful, at all. He told his attorney he was being blackmailed by a former lover so, to meet her demands, he stole nearly half a million dollars from an organization dedicated to helping the world’s poor.
So although the state sentencing guidelines for his three counts of embezzlement recommended probation, the judge tasked with punishing the Penderbrook man last week exceeded the guidelines and sentenced him to a year in jail. Lee, 51, of the 12100 block of Wedgeway Court in Fair Oaks, must also make full restitution to the victim, SEED International.
"The defendant stole $471,766 from a nonprofit, missionary organization that supports missionaries around the world," said Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Sean Morgan, on Thursday, June 30, in Loudoun County Circuit Court. "The theft of this money had a great impact on their ability to conduct their affairs."
Although authorities initially believed Lee embezzled more than $700,000, Morgan said the figure he gave the court was the actual amount. And in a March 30, 2010 affidavit for a warrant to search Lee’s home for possible evidence, Deputy Charles Perinis, an investigator with the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, explained the case against Lee.
According to the affidavit, on March 26, 2010, members of SEED International, a faith-based, nonprofit in Sterling, reported the theft by Lee, their former financial officer. They told Perinis that Lee perpetrated the crime by gaining control of the church’s bank accounts and writing checks from these accounts to individual accounts he’d established in his own name.
The deputy wrote that Lee then used this money "to support a lavish lifestyle that included his residence on Wedgeway Court, the rent for [a particular] apartment at in Annandale, the purchase of a 2006 Porsche Cayenne [SUV] and his personal living expenses."
Furthermore, wrote Perinis, when members of SEED International asked Lee about the missing money, he "produced counterfeit financial documents and bank statements to show a falsified investment of the church’s funds." The deputy noted that, upon questioning, a bank representative confirmed that the bank letters and statements "were, in fact, counterfeit."
SEED International assists missionaries from a Sterling-based church with funding. The group’s stated goal is "to provide humanitarian aid and services to the poorest of the poor in the developing world, especially in the areas of Survival, Education, and Economic Development" (SEED).
Lee turned himself in to the Loudoun Sheriff’s Office on April 15, 2010, and was charged with 16 counts of embezzlement. Then on July 12 of that year, the Loudoun County grand jury indicted him on every count.
He pleaded guilty March 4 to three counts of embezzlement and, in exchange, the other 13 counts were dropped. He then returned to Circuit Court on June 30 for sentencing before Judge Thomas Horne.
At the outset, defense attorney Jay Myerson gave prosecutor Morgan a check for $1,200 from Lee toward his restitution. Morgan then presented it to a pastor from SEED.
"This defendant should receive a long period of incarceration," said Morgan. "And he should pay at least $2,000/month, or 50 percent of his monthly income, in the future, toward his restitution. Noting that Lee had given him a statement of his personal assets, liabilities and expenses, Morgan said Lee could pay this amount if he changed his lifestyle.
"There’s a $900/month credit-card payment, but this should go to restitution before paying off this debt," said the prosecutor. "There’s only [Lee] and his wife, but they’re spending $700/month on groceries and gas. This should be $400, with the other $300 going toward restitution."
Although Lee stated that he pays $500/month for utilities, Morgan said that, if the Penderbrook man has more than basic cable and phone service, this amount, too, could be reduced. "He reports a $1,200 monthly income. He should be required to pay half of this amount per month," said Morgan. "And he could probably find a less-expensive, living situation."
Morgan was adamant, he told the judge, because "The charges against Lee have been pending since April 2010 and, until he came in with that $1,200 today, he hadn’t paid one, red cent in restitution. His statement of assets shows more concern about himself than about SEED."
"Like many people who steal, he places his own wants above the needs of others," said Morgan. "He just doesn’t get it. If the defendant was really remorseful, he’d give a full statement of where he transferred this money, how and to whom, but he hasn’t told us."
Furthermore, said Morgan, "The defendant said his affair predated this 18-month-long embezzlement, but he was using SEED money to pay for her apartment. He purchased a Porsche Cayenne, which has not been recovered, and a vehicle from a Land Rover Jaguar dealer. He used these checks for himself." Because of all these factors, as well as Lee’s "attempts to cover his tracks," Morgan said he deserved 12 months incarceration, plus a "lengthy term" of suspended time to make sure he pays his restitution.
Instead of calling witnesses to testify on his client’s behalf, Myerson proffered their statements to the court. A Mrs. Park of Fairfax knew Lee through her church worship group and said he did volunteer work for her company.
Jae Kim of Pennsylvania called Lee "fundamentally, a good man who’s done many good deeds," and Mrs. Kim spoke of the work Lee did at the Antioch School in Pennsylvania and the awards he received. A Mr. Yoon of Korean Central Presbyterian Church (KCPC) noted Lee’s work in the church’s counseling department.
Myerson told Judge Horne that all these things "reflect the full measure of this man’s life, not just the deeds before you today."
Lee’s wife, who was in Korea for a sick relative’s operation, wrote in an affidavit, "I don’t know what I’ll do if [my husband’s] in jail." She also said he’d done charitable work and had helped many people."
"He’s been married over 21 years and has no criminal record," said Myerson. "He’s never before been in trouble. [In addition], five friends each pledged to pay $100,000 to the church toward the restitution because they believe the whole ledger of his life should be taken into account, and they’ve been making payments."
Regarding any personal gain Lee received from the embezzlement, Myerson said, "This is a man in dire distress. His home is underwater, he has considerable debt and he didn’t use the money toward his expenses. Utilities and gas aren’t discretionary [expenses]. He could pay 25 percent of his gross income, but he only makes $1,200/month in a dry cleaners. His wife is supporting him now; any [higher payment] would be punishing her."
Myerson then explained that Lee had an affair in 2003. "When he saw [the woman] years later in church, she blackmailed him," said the attorney. "She said she’d confront his wife if he didn’t give her assistance. At some point, he wanted to stop. But by then, he was in too deep. He tried to get back the money from her, but she hired an attorney and my client didn’t have the money to fight her."
Requesting probation for Lee, Myerson said, "He’s demonstrated genuine remorse. He’s apologized to SEED and tried to raise the money; unfortunately, it’s not there to be raised."
Lee then stood and expressed "deep regret" for his actions. "In the past 14 months, I have had time for reflection," he said. "I fully recognize what I did was terribly wrong, even though I didn’t keep the money for myself." Crying, he said, "I apologize to SEED, KCPC and my wife and family for the pain I’ve caused [them]."
"I’ll take this as an opportunity to be a better human being, and I will repay the money," added Lee. "I have worked to improve the community all my life and will continue to do so. I ask you, from the bottom of my heart, for mercy so I can be with my wife and pay restitution."
However, the judge just couldn’t ignore Lee’s behavior. "Embezzlement is a violation of a special trust someone placed in another to take care of their property," he explained. Horne also compared Lee’s case to some similar ones he’s sentenced.
In a case many years ago, he said, a woman embezzled money from the DMV to help her husband with terminal cancer. "That explanation draws on a judge’s humanity," said Horne. Yet another woman had embezzled PTA funds earmarked for children’s activities.
"The children had worked hard to raise the money, and she’d preyed upon their good works, and [your] case is like that," the judge told Lee. "You embezzled from a charity. This money was to be used for good works, but it was just used for somebody’s pleasure, even if you were being blackmailed."
Horne then imposed a sentence that would punish Lee for his crime while placing him in a position to pay back the money he owes. He sentenced Lee to 10 years in prison for each of his three counts of embezzlement and ran the sentences consecutively, for 30 years total.
"That ought to be a beacon sign that the court takes this offense very seriously," said the judge. He then suspended all but 12 months and placed Lee on three years probation when his incarceration is completed.
Horne also ordered Lee to pay $471,766 restitution to SEED at a rate of $2,000/month, or half his gross income. "The court will authorize work release, if approved [by the county sheriff]," he said. "And community service can go toward paying your court costs. The court deviated upward from the sentencing guidelines, given the nature of your offense."
They say a poor excuse is better than none, but in Eun Tae Lee’s case, it wasn’t helpful, at all. He told his attorney he was being blackmailed by a former lover so, to meet her demands, he stole nearly half a million dollars from an organization dedicated to helping the world’s poor.
So although the state sentencing guidelines for his three counts of embezzlement recommended probation, the judge tasked with punishing the Penderbrook man last week exceeded the guidelines and sentenced him to a year in jail. Lee, 51, of the 12100 block of Wedgeway Court in Fair Oaks, must also make full restitution to the victim, SEED International.
"The defendant stole $471,766 from a nonprofit, missionary organization that supports missionaries around the world," said Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Sean Morgan, on Thursday, June 30, in Loudoun County Circuit Court. "The theft of this money had a great impact on their ability to conduct their affairs."
Although authorities initially believed Lee embezzled more than $700,000, Morgan said the figure he gave the court was the actual amount. And in a March 30, 2010 affidavit for a warrant to search Lee’s home for possible evidence, Deputy Charles Perinis, an investigator with the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, explained the case against Lee.
According to the affidavit, on March 26, 2010, members of SEED International, a faith-based, nonprofit in Sterling, reported the theft by Lee, their former financial officer. They told Perinis that Lee perpetrated the crime by gaining control of the church’s bank accounts and writing checks from these accounts to individual accounts he’d established in his own name.
The deputy wrote that Lee then used this money "to support a lavish lifestyle that included his residence on Wedgeway Court, the rent for [a particular] apartment at in Annandale, the purchase of a 2006 Porsche Cayenne [SUV] and his personal living expenses."
Furthermore, wrote Perinis, when members of SEED International asked Lee about the missing money, he "produced counterfeit financial documents and bank statements to show a falsified investment of the church’s funds." The deputy noted that, upon questioning, a bank representative confirmed that the bank letters and statements "were, in fact, counterfeit."
SEED International assists missionaries from a Sterling-based church with funding. The group’s stated goal is "to provide humanitarian aid and services to the poorest of the poor in the developing world, especially in the areas of Survival, Education, and Economic Development" (SEED).
Lee turned himself in to the Loudoun Sheriff’s Office on April 15, 2010, and was charged with 16 counts of embezzlement. Then on July 12 of that year, the Loudoun County grand jury indicted him on every count.
He pleaded guilty March 4 to three counts of embezzlement and, in exchange, the other 13 counts were dropped. He then returned to Circuit Court on June 30 for sentencing before Judge Thomas Horne.
At the outset, defense attorney Jay Myerson gave prosecutor Morgan a check for $1,200 from Lee toward his restitution. Morgan then presented it to a pastor from SEED.
"This defendant should receive a long period of incarceration," said Morgan. "And he should pay at least $2,000/month, or 50 percent of his monthly income, in the future, toward his restitution. Noting that Lee had given him a statement of his personal assets, liabilities and expenses, Morgan said Lee could pay this amount if he changed his lifestyle.
"There’s a $900/month credit-card payment, but this should go to restitution before paying off this debt," said the prosecutor. "There’s only [Lee] and his wife, but they’re spending $700/month on groceries and gas. This should be $400, with the other $300 going toward restitution."
Although Lee stated that he pays $500/month for utilities, Morgan said that, if the Penderbrook man has more than basic cable and phone service, this amount, too, could be reduced. "He reports a $1,200 monthly income. He should be required to pay half of this amount per month," said Morgan. "And he could probably find a less-expensive, living situation."
Morgan was adamant, he told the judge, because "The charges against Lee have been pending since April 2010 and, until he came in with that $1,200 today, he hadn’t paid one, red cent in restitution. His statement of assets shows more concern about himself than about SEED."
"Like many people who steal, he places his own wants above the needs of others," said Morgan. "He just doesn’t get it. If the defendant was really remorseful, he’d give a full statement of where he transferred this money, how and to whom, but he hasn’t told us."
Furthermore, said Morgan, "The defendant said his affair predated this 18-month-long embezzlement, but he was using SEED money to pay for her apartment. He purchased a Porsche Cayenne, which has not been recovered, and a vehicle from a Land Rover Jaguar dealer. He used these checks for himself." Because of all these factors, as well as Lee’s "attempts to cover his tracks," Morgan said he deserved 12 months incarceration, plus a "lengthy term" of suspended time to make sure he pays his restitution.
Instead of calling witnesses to testify on his client’s behalf, Myerson proffered their statements to the court. A Mrs. Park of Fairfax knew Lee through her church worship group and said he did volunteer work for her company.
Jae Kim of Pennsylvania called Lee "fundamentally, a good man who’s done many good deeds," and Mrs. Kim spoke of the work Lee did at the Antioch School in Pennsylvania and the awards he received. A Mr. Yoon of Korean Central Presbyterian Church (KCPC) noted Lee’s work in the church’s counseling department.
Myerson told Judge Horne that all these things "reflect the full measure of this man’s life, not just the deeds before you today."
Lee’s wife, who was in Korea for a sick relative’s operation, wrote in an affidavit, "I don’t know what I’ll do if [my husband’s] in jail." She also said he’d done charitable work and had helped many people."
"He’s been married over 21 years and has no criminal record," said Myerson. "He’s never before been in trouble. [In addition], five friends each pledged to pay $100,000 to the church toward the restitution because they believe the whole ledger of his life should be taken into account, and they’ve been making payments."
Regarding any personal gain Lee received from the embezzlement, Myerson said, "This is a man in dire distress. His home is underwater, he has considerable debt and he didn’t use the money toward his expenses. Utilities and gas aren’t discretionary [expenses]. He could pay 25 percent of his gross income, but he only makes $1,200/month in a dry cleaners. His wife is supporting him now; any [higher payment] would be punishing her."
Myerson then explained that Lee had an affair in 2003. "When he saw [the woman] years later in church, she blackmailed him," said the attorney. "She said she’d confront his wife if he didn’t give her assistance. At some point, he wanted to stop. But by then, he was in too deep. He tried to get back the money from her, but she hired an attorney and my client didn’t have the money to fight her."
Requesting probation for Lee, Myerson said, "He’s demonstrated genuine remorse. He’s apologized to SEED and tried to raise the money; unfortunately, it’s not there to be raised."
Lee then stood and expressed "deep regret" for his actions. "In the past 14 months, I have had time for reflection," he said. "I fully recognize what I did was terribly wrong, even though I didn’t keep the money for myself." Crying, he said, "I apologize to SEED, KCPC and my wife and family for the pain I’ve caused [them]."
"I’ll take this as an opportunity to be a better human being, and I will repay the money," added Lee. "I have worked to improve the community all my life and will continue to do so. I ask you, from the bottom of my heart, for mercy so I can be with my wife and pay restitution."
However, the judge just couldn’t ignore Lee’s behavior. "Embezzlement is a violation of a special trust someone placed in another to take care of their property," he explained. Horne also compared Lee’s case to some similar ones he’s sentenced.
In a case many years ago, he said, a woman embezzled money from the DMV to help her husband with terminal cancer. "That explanation draws on a judge’s humanity," said Horne. Yet another woman had embezzled PTA funds earmarked for children’s activities.
"The children had worked hard to raise the money, and she’d preyed upon their good works, and [your] case is like that," the judge told Lee. "You embezzled from a charity. This money was to be used for good works, but it was just used for somebody’s pleasure, even if you were being blackmailed."
Horne then imposed a sentence that would punish Lee for his crime while placing him in a position to pay back the money he owes. He sentenced Lee to 10 years in prison for each of his three counts of embezzlement and ran the sentences consecutively, for 30 years total.
"That ought to be a beacon sign that the court takes this offense very seriously," said the judge. He then suspended all but 12 months and placed Lee on three years probation when his incarceration is completed.
Horne also ordered Lee to pay $471,766 restitution to SEED at a rate of $2,000/month, or half his gross income. "The court will authorize work release, if approved [by the county sheriff]," he said. "And community service can go toward paying your court costs. The court deviated upward from the sentencing guidelines, given the nature of your offense."
Former Timberlawn PTA President Faces Embezzlement Charges in Jackson, Mississippi
FROM WAPT.COM-
A woman accused of gambling away money that was intended for students at a Jackson school is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday.
Nicarra Nicole Johnson-Coleman was indicted in 2010 on embezzlement charges. The former Parent-Teacher Association President for Timberlawn Elementary School surrendered to police in March 2010 in connection with the disappearance of nearly $20,000, officials said.
Police said she took money using the PTA's credit cards and checks to gamble a Vicksburg casino.
Johnson surrendered her PTA position after a board member noticed the money was missing from Timberlawn’s PTA, officials said.
A woman accused of gambling away money that was intended for students at a Jackson school is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday.
Nicarra Nicole Johnson-Coleman was indicted in 2010 on embezzlement charges. The former Parent-Teacher Association President for Timberlawn Elementary School surrendered to police in March 2010 in connection with the disappearance of nearly $20,000, officials said.
Police said she took money using the PTA's credit cards and checks to gamble a Vicksburg casino.
Johnson surrendered her PTA position after a board member noticed the money was missing from Timberlawn’s PTA, officials said.
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Theft, embezzlement can pose hits to Little League
FROM: http://www.centredaily.com/-
A new lock, a thick door and a steel bar across the shuttered front counter of the Canyon Lake Little League concession stand still couldn't prevent the youth baseball league from taking a hit.
The president of the Rapid City, S.D., league said vandals recently pounded the lock off to break in and make off with a cooler full of food and a small amount of money.
And that's small change when it comes to crimes against local Little Leagues. The volunteer-run organizations have long been the target of theft or embezzlement schemes.
The issue raised enough eyebrows that Little League International sent a letter in 2009 to all local leagues offering tips to safeguard against financial problems after noticing an uptick in stories about missing funds at local nonprofits. Guidelines include having the international parent organization perform criminal background checks on adults.
Little League's insurance provider also offers a "crime insurance" policy for leagues to purchase, also in response to reports about criminal activity, Little League International president Stephen Keener said.
The policy protects local leagues against "monetary loss caused by dishonesty, disappearance of money, securities or other property, and destruction of money or securities," reads a description of the policy from Little League.
"These are good people in communities trying to run a healthy, fun program for kids," Keener said at a recent function at Little League headquarters. "(The policy) was in response to try to put some protections in place. Obviously, nobody can afford 24-hour security."
Officials at Little League International in South Williamsport - where the World Series for 11- to 13-year-olds is played each August - note that the vast majority of leagues don't have such problems. They also say they don't necessarily hear about every instance of theft, since the national office has no direct oversight of local finances.
No matter how big or small, each break-in, report of stolen equipment or forged check charge generates headlines, given the crimes are set against the backdrops of the innocent scenes of boys and girls swinging for the sandlot fences.
"Ultimately, it affects the kids in the league," said Canyon Lake president Rich Hegre said. Any money lost seeps out of a budget that relies on fundraisers, donations and fees forked over by parents to pay for items such as uniforms or new bats and catcher's gear.
In Honolulu, parents of players in the Makakilo Kapolei Honokai Hale league had a firsthand lesson in having to rebuild after a former treasurer, Paulo Salas-Selem, pleaded guilty in September to forgery and theft.
Funds from registration fees and fundraising totaling $11,500 between December 2007 and April 2008 were deposited into a personal bank account and used to pay mortgage, credit cards and other expenses, prosecutors said. Salas-Selem was sentenced in January to five years of probation, more than $14,000 in restitution and community service, Hawaii Supervising Deputy Attorney General Christopher Young said.
Pamela Witty-Oakland, a former Makakilo league treasurer, said she was asked to return to the board and audit the books after the allegations surfaced. The league couldn't buy new equipment the next year, and some parents grew distrustful, she said.
One parent and former league board member told the Star-Advertiser of Honolulu last year that the league at one point dropped to about 100 players from a peak of 600 to 700.
Witty-Oakland's second stint on the board lasted a couple years, but she left confident the league was in much better shape and growing. The league is located in a part of Oahu that has been targeted by planners for growth, while the league itself has expanded into girls softball.
"With that, we had to re-establish credibility and re-grow the league," she said. "It's been a real effort to get back to those numbers."
In Pennsylvania, accountant William McKernan was sentenced earlier this month to 11 1/2 to 23 months in prison for embezzling money to finance a lifestyle that included vacations, private schools and strip club visits. Prosecutors said McKernan swindled $57,000 from the Lower Gwynedd Little League, part of a larger scheme involving clients totaling $1.75 million. He has repaid much of the money and apologized at his sentencing hearing earlier this month.
Local league president Jay Gelman said the case didn't have much of a financial impact this season, and that the league bounced back to have successful sponsorship and good registration numbers in 2011. They also had insurance to recover anything that wasn't returned.
Parents overall, were sympathetic, Gelman said. The league put in place stricter guidelines over finances, and turned to an outside accounting firm to oversee the books.
"It created a lot more work for the board," Gelman said. "It did cost us money, in that we had to pay for an accountant we never paid for before."
A new lock, a thick door and a steel bar across the shuttered front counter of the Canyon Lake Little League concession stand still couldn't prevent the youth baseball league from taking a hit.
The president of the Rapid City, S.D., league said vandals recently pounded the lock off to break in and make off with a cooler full of food and a small amount of money.
And that's small change when it comes to crimes against local Little Leagues. The volunteer-run organizations have long been the target of theft or embezzlement schemes.
The issue raised enough eyebrows that Little League International sent a letter in 2009 to all local leagues offering tips to safeguard against financial problems after noticing an uptick in stories about missing funds at local nonprofits. Guidelines include having the international parent organization perform criminal background checks on adults.
Little League's insurance provider also offers a "crime insurance" policy for leagues to purchase, also in response to reports about criminal activity, Little League International president Stephen Keener said.
The policy protects local leagues against "monetary loss caused by dishonesty, disappearance of money, securities or other property, and destruction of money or securities," reads a description of the policy from Little League.
"These are good people in communities trying to run a healthy, fun program for kids," Keener said at a recent function at Little League headquarters. "(The policy) was in response to try to put some protections in place. Obviously, nobody can afford 24-hour security."
Officials at Little League International in South Williamsport - where the World Series for 11- to 13-year-olds is played each August - note that the vast majority of leagues don't have such problems. They also say they don't necessarily hear about every instance of theft, since the national office has no direct oversight of local finances.
No matter how big or small, each break-in, report of stolen equipment or forged check charge generates headlines, given the crimes are set against the backdrops of the innocent scenes of boys and girls swinging for the sandlot fences.
"Ultimately, it affects the kids in the league," said Canyon Lake president Rich Hegre said. Any money lost seeps out of a budget that relies on fundraisers, donations and fees forked over by parents to pay for items such as uniforms or new bats and catcher's gear.
In Honolulu, parents of players in the Makakilo Kapolei Honokai Hale league had a firsthand lesson in having to rebuild after a former treasurer, Paulo Salas-Selem, pleaded guilty in September to forgery and theft.
Funds from registration fees and fundraising totaling $11,500 between December 2007 and April 2008 were deposited into a personal bank account and used to pay mortgage, credit cards and other expenses, prosecutors said. Salas-Selem was sentenced in January to five years of probation, more than $14,000 in restitution and community service, Hawaii Supervising Deputy Attorney General Christopher Young said.
Pamela Witty-Oakland, a former Makakilo league treasurer, said she was asked to return to the board and audit the books after the allegations surfaced. The league couldn't buy new equipment the next year, and some parents grew distrustful, she said.
One parent and former league board member told the Star-Advertiser of Honolulu last year that the league at one point dropped to about 100 players from a peak of 600 to 700.
Witty-Oakland's second stint on the board lasted a couple years, but she left confident the league was in much better shape and growing. The league is located in a part of Oahu that has been targeted by planners for growth, while the league itself has expanded into girls softball.
"With that, we had to re-establish credibility and re-grow the league," she said. "It's been a real effort to get back to those numbers."
In Pennsylvania, accountant William McKernan was sentenced earlier this month to 11 1/2 to 23 months in prison for embezzling money to finance a lifestyle that included vacations, private schools and strip club visits. Prosecutors said McKernan swindled $57,000 from the Lower Gwynedd Little League, part of a larger scheme involving clients totaling $1.75 million. He has repaid much of the money and apologized at his sentencing hearing earlier this month.
Local league president Jay Gelman said the case didn't have much of a financial impact this season, and that the league bounced back to have successful sponsorship and good registration numbers in 2011. They also had insurance to recover anything that wasn't returned.
Parents overall, were sympathetic, Gelman said. The league put in place stricter guidelines over finances, and turned to an outside accounting firm to oversee the books.
"It created a lot more work for the board," Gelman said. "It did cost us money, in that we had to pay for an accountant we never paid for before."
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