Thursday, February 25, 2010

Embezzlement Estimate By Former Washington State County Treasurer Cashier At More Than $600K And Could Be Nearly $800K

Catherine A. Betts, currently of Shelton, Washington, is now believed to have embezzled at least $617,467 over a five year period from the Clallam County Treasurer's Office where she had been employed as cashier, according to a state investigator's report released Tuesday. Betts, who was in charge of processing real estate excise taxes, preparing daily cash reconciliations, deposits and tax affidavits and monthly reports of taxes collected, is accused of stealing cash payments as well as destroying or altering documents to reflect lower amounts and pocketing the difference. Discrepancies in the records were found last May and Betts was fired in June, according to reports. Investigators, who believe Betts' thefts stretch back to February 2004, say the loss may actually be as much as $793,595 which could not be confirmed due to missing records. The investigator's report is now expected to lead to Betts' imminent arrest. Reports suggest Betts had a gambling habit.

Read the story here, here and here.

Update (3/17/10): Betts was formally charged today by the state Attorney General's office with felony theft.

Read the story here.

Update (8/25/11): Betts has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for embezzling as much as $794,000 from Clallam County Treasurer's Office.  She was found guilty last month on 27 theft counts.

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