Charges filed against a former Caruthersville city employee will move forward in court in March after a probable cause affidavit alleges the she stole more than $50,000 in city funds.
Angela Dormer, who worked for the city's water department, was arraigned on felony theft of over $25,000 two weeks ago.
According to the probable cause affidavit, on Sept. 23, 2010, Caruthersville Police Department Chief Riggs requested a special investigation by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, stating he suspected that Dormer had been stealing money. Dormer was terminated by the city, citing reasons that she had written late fees off of her water bill.
According to the report, the city hired McDowell and Middleton, LLC CA, to conduct an audit on the department. On Sept. 28, 2010, the Highway Patrol received an investigative subpoena to obtain Dormer's bank records from Bank Star of the Bootheel.
The affidavit indicates that the investigation revealed that from Dec. 5, 2007 until July 2, 2010, Dormer deposited $70,436 in cash in her personal bank account. The audit revealed that from the time period of Jan. 1, 2009 until June 30, 2010, the "cash deposited" was short $58,619.11 from the "cash collected." The cash deposited in Dormer's account for the same period was $49,451.
During the same time period, the affidavit alleges that Dormer did not receive a bill for 11 consecutive months for water and admitted that she removed several late payments from her own water bill at her residence on Beckwith.
During an interview with Dormer conducted by the MSHP, the report indicates that Dormer admitted to taking cash from the water department. Dormer told investigators that she would make adjustments on random customer's accounts and then deposit the cash into her bank account. Dormer apparently did not know the total amount that she took, but thought that it was between $300 and $400 a month.
The city is not commenting on the charges because of the criminal charges. Dormer worked previously for the city at the Recreation Center. She is free on a $25,000 bond pending her preliminary hearing.