September 5, 2010

Woman may have stolen from nursing school in Springfield and Republic PTO

by Sara Forhetz, KY3 News

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By Gene Hartley

Story Published: Mar 10, 2009 at 3:08 PM CDT

Story Updated: Apr 7, 2009 at 11:07 AM CDT

SPRINGFIELD -- St. John’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences at Southwest Baptist University says it's discovered the "misappropriation of funds." The school, which operates out of a building on South Fremont Avenue, also says it fired a longtime worker over the missing money.

A Springfield Police Department spokesman, Maj. Kevin Routh, says St. John's internal auditors have been going over the accounts of the college and the hospital in Springfield and Bolivar. He said it appears the fired woman embezzled money from several funds over many years, often in small amounts at a time.

Routh said the missing funds may total $500,000 or more. He said the investigation may be lengthy. He said the auditors may have to call in outside "forensic criminal" auditors to assist.

The school turned the investigation over to detectives. A St. John's spokeswoman says the school is cooperating with the investigation.

The Republic Police Department also is investigating the same woman for thefts from the Republic Parent Teacher Organization. That department started its investigation last week, and arrested a woman in connection with the theft. She has been released pending charges.

The Republic School District sent a memo to its employees on Monday that they shouldn't discuss the missing funds or the investigation with anyone outside the school system.

The PTO president tells KY3 News this will certainly change the way they do business, with a better checks and balances system.

The woman was treasurer of the PTO until last month or early this month, according to the PTO Web site..

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