Virginia County Treasurer Charged With Embezzling $135K

Brenda S. Grubbs, 53, of Othma, Virginia, has been charged with embezzling as much as $135,000 from Goochland County, Virginia coffers where she had served as County Treasurer. Investigators believe that Grubbs wrote numerous checks to herself. When confronted, Grubbs reportedly admitted to the thefts, which came to light after a bank employee notified authorities after she attempted to cash a $14,000 County check made out to herself. The thefts date back at least six months. She has been employed by the County since 1988 and has been twice elected by wide margins as Treasurer in 2003 and 2007, according to reports. The investigation is ongoing and a final loss tally has not been determined.

Read the story here, here and here.

Update (2/13/11): Under pressure from the Governor's office, Brenda Grubbs has resigned her position as Goochland County Treasurer.

Update (6/24/11): Goochland County Auditor of Public Accounts Walter J. Kucharski reports alleged embezzlement by former Goochland Treasurer Brenda S. Grubbs is $180,470.

Update (8/29/11): According to media reports, Grubbs, who has pleaded guilty to a 20-count indictment earlier this month in this case, funneled much of the misappropriated funds to a "shadowy" figure in Nigeria named "Bobby Johnson".  Grubbs reportedly met the man through an online dating website and claimed he was from Virginia, working in Nigeria.  Authorities believe Grubbs may have been scammed herself.

Update (12/14/11): Grubbs, now 54, was sentenced to 40 years in prison with all but 4 years suspended.