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Local News

Blankenship embezzlement case bound over to grand jury
Thursday, August 28, 2008 12:13 AM EDT Print this story | Email this story
The Comprehend employee who allegedly embezzled money from the agency appeared in Mason County District Court Wednesday before Judge W. Todd Walton II.

Erica Blankenship, a clerical staff assistant at Comprehend, has been charged with one count of theft by unlawful taking over $300 and tampering with physical evidence and learned Wednesday the case will go before a Mason County grand jury.

During Wednesday's proceedings, Major Ron Rice of the Maysville Police Department testified under questioning by Mason County Attorney John Estill that he responded to a call from Comprehend on Aug. 8 about the alleged embezzlement.

Rice said Comprehend Executive Director Dr. Pamela Vaught informed him an employee in charge of depositing fees for DUI classes held at the Regional Prevention Center on Kenton Station Road had failed to make two deposits into the proper accounts at US Bank. The failure to deposit the funds occurred on July 3 and again Aug. 4, for a total of $2,500 in cash. There were also checks missing for payment to the classes and a receipt book.

According to Rice's testimony, Vaught said Blankenship had recently come back to work after incurring an injury and was given permission to make the deposits into an account at US Bank and then go home instead of the usual procedure of taking the paperwork back to Comprehend's office on Forest Avenue before making the deposits.

Rice said when the agency discovered a receipt book missing, an internal investigation was launched and then a report was filed with the police department.


Rice said when questioned, Blankenship admitted she had taken $2,500 in cash and then admitted to destroying the checks and receipt book at her home by using a shredder.

Estill asked Rice what Blankenship's response was when he asked her why she shredded the checks and book.

"She told me to prevent her from being found out," Rice said.

Blankenship's attorney, Chris Kippley with the Department for Public Advocacy office asked Rice under cross examination if a an exact amount of money had been determined related to the missing checks.

Rice said he, along with the staff at Comprehend were working to determine the amount by establishing how many people had attended the classes on July 3 and Aug. 4, and through a process of elimination who paid with cash or by check. The fee for the class is $230, Rice said.

Following Rice's testimony, Walton ruled probable cause had been established and bound the case over the grand jury, which is scheduled to meet on Sept. 2.


Blankenship is currently out on $2,500 bond.

Contact Marla Toncray at marla.toncray@lee.net or 606-564-9091, ext. 275.

Reader Comments

Comments are limited to 200 words or less.

YMCA wrote on Sep 6, 2008 1:07 PM:

" She didn't steal from the Y so maybe her case is different. Enough about the stupid YMCA. She is a good hearted person and in today's time, crazy thing are happening everywhere. She is not the only one that has faultered. Maybe you all should consider the things about yourself that make you uneasy and keep you up at night. While thinking of your sins maybe it wouldn't be so easy to judge her. "

Forgiveness wrote on Sep 6, 2008 1:02 PM:

" Everyone can be forgiven for their sins by the Lord Almighty. Maybe she has already ask him. How would you all know! "

Tammy wrote on Sep 6, 2008 1:01 PM:

" Only the Lord can and should judge us. He will judge us all in the time of our departure from this earth. The girl maybe had a rough time, no one but her family knows what she has gone through in her lifetime. No there is no excuse large enough for what she did but i garantee that she is paying for it now in her own mind. She's suffering inside herself. THe Lord says that we should not lie, steal, kill or cheat, but how many of you writing these comments have commited some type of sin in your life. The Lord also says thou shall not judge but be judged by the Lord. "

sister wrote on Sep 3, 2008 5:53 PM:

" no body but a relative knows what this woman has gone through in the last 7 months. I know. and I also know that she is a good person and as sweet as they come. Let the person who has done no wrong throw the first stone. And I will show you a liar. There has only been one person who didn't sin and he is dead. "

sh wrote on Aug 28, 2008 11:06 AM:

" Anyone who steals from an organization should be prosecuted and serve time in jail. Then, others will think twice before doing the same thing. "

fp wrote on Aug 28, 2008 1:36 AM:

" Why does it always seem like some people get more attention than others? And if anyone of the newspapers family our in the court they are never in the paper? Is this just another Coincidence? EDITOR'S NOTE: As a matter of fact, the relative of a news reporter has been in the paper several times going back to earlier this summer when a front page news story was written and since then when he has appeared in court. There have also been relatives of Ledger Independent employees arrested recently and that news was also on the front page. "

Rooter wrote on Aug 28, 2008 12:57 AM:

" Sure, just let her out to walk the streets! Her bail should have been a lot higher than that! Just face it, she will walk like the woman from the YMCA did!! Why wast the county money for court trials when you know nothing will be done to her anyways! "


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