The State Auditor’s Public Integrity and Fraud Unit, in cooperation with the Harrison County Prosecutor’s Office, announces convictions obtained last Friday in Harrison County Circuit Court.

 

The Court previously indicted Amy Sue Stephens, 50, and Linda Denise Vanscoy, 51, former Town of Anmoore employees, who were alleged to have embezzled funds while employed as utility clerks for the town when forensic auditors compared the utility payment collection reports with the town’s accounting system and banking records. State Police Corporal R. L. Glaspell completed the investigation leading to the Indictment. The pair previously plead guilty to a single count of embezzlement and came before the court on Friday for sentencing.

 

"Although this is an older case, it is no different than the dozens of cases our Public Integrity and Fraud Unit work on every day. Government does not make money; funds are collected through taxing our citizens, who expect those dollars to go for the intended purposes and not lining government employee’s pockets. It really is that simple," State Auditor John B. McCuskey said.

 

Circuit Judge Thomas A. Bedell sentenced each defendant to 1-10 years in the penitentiary and suspended the prison time for 7 years of probation. Due to a disagreement between the state and the defense concerning the amount of restitution, the Court scheduled a hearing for August 12 at 8:15 a.m. for a final decision on the amount.

 

The pair could be responsible for repaying the full amount of the missing funds back to the town. The State Auditor will also request reimbursement for the cost of the forensic audits totaling $91,050.19.

 

The State Auditor’s Office Public Integrity and Fraud Unit works closely with all 55 county prosecutors to investigate and prosecute financial fraud committed by government employees.

 

Since taking office, McCuskey has made great strides in accountability and transparency. "When our state prosecutors team up with our Fraud Unit, the combination is unbeatable," McCuskey said. “If you are stealing from the public funds, you are stealing from your friends and neighbors. You need to stop and come clean, because when we find fraud, we won’t let it go.”