California Woman Suspected Of Embezzling $280K From Non-Profit Utility

Debra Diane Sutton

Debra Diane Sutton, 55, of Moreno Valley, California is suspected of embezzling some $280,000 from the Box Springs Mutual Water Co., a local non-profit utility, where she had been employed as general manager.  Sutton reportedly resigned this past January when the misappropriations came to light.  Sutton is suspected of using the company ATM card she was issued to pay for several cruises including ones to Alaska, the Bahamas, Mexico, the Caribbean.  She also is suspected of using the ATM card to make withdrawals at casinos and to pay for other personal expenses.  The fraud is believed to have occurred between early 2009 and January 2012.

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Update (3/22/12): Sutton has been formally indicted on felony grand theft and identity theft charges in connection wth her alleged embezzlement of what is now believed to be $784,175.97 from the Box Springs Mutual Water Company.  Read an update of the story here.

Update (8/30/12): Sutton was sentenced to 5 years and 4 months in state prison.  Sutton was also ordered to pay restitution as part of her plea-bargain with prosecutors: the $784,175 that she looted from the water company and an assessed $101,554 owed to California for back taxes in 2009-10.