 |
 |
Blankenship embezzlement case bound over to grand jury
Thursday, August 28, 2008 12:13 AM EDT
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.
Copyright © 2009 Maysville Newspapers, Inc., A Lee Enterprises Publication This site is protected by applicable copyright laws and no part may be reproduced, transmitted or used in any way other than its intended purpose without the prior written permission of The Ledger Independent. Click here to view The Ledger Independent's privacy policy. Click here to view current print advertisements. |