A Missouri women will get to keep $90,000 of embezzled money

Intro:	A former Missouri Veterans Commission accountant is going to get to keep the $90,000 she stole. That's the conclusion from the Cole County Prosecutor.
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Wrap: The accountant pleaded guilty in June 2008 for embezzling nearly $18,000.

She repaid this money, but a recent state audit accuses the women for stealing an additional $90,000.

State Auditor Susan Montee says unless the Cole County Prosecutor wants to reopen the case the women will get to keep the money.

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Description: "You still have to step back and go do we really want to let someone walk away having benefited $90,000 of stolen money because no one wants to mess with it. And that's kind of what we have going on here."

Cole County Prosecutor Matt Richardson says once the case of theft has been concluded it can not be reopened.

Reporting from the State Capitol, I'm Rebecca Stephen.

Intro:	An accountant lied, cheated and stole from the Missouri Veterans Commission and is getting away with $90,000. That's the conclusion from the Cole County Prosecutor.
RunTime:	0:38
OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: The woman pleaded guilty to theft in 2008 and repaid nearly $18,000, but a recent state audit accuses her of taking an additional $90,000.

State Auditor Susan Montee says the Veterans Commission has filed for bond payment and unless the Cole County Prosecutor takes action the woman will get to walk away with the money.

Actuality:	MONTEE3.WAV
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Description: "Everybody wants it to go away, but in the meantime, ya know, this women stole $90,000 and is getting to keep it."

The Cole County Prosecutor Mark Richardson says the former Veterans Commission accountant was already prosecuted and he is not able to prosecute any further on that theft case.

Reporting from the State Capitol, I'm Rebecca Stephen.

Intro:	$90,000 was stolen from Missouri war heroes and they will not get it back. That's the conclusion from the Cole Country Prosecutor.
RunTime:	0:37
OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: A former Missouri Veterans Commission accountant embezzled $108,000.

The woman pleaded guilty to stealing nearly $18,000 in 2008 and repaid it, but a recent state audit accuses the woman of stealing an additional $90,000.

Cole County Prosecutor Mark Richardson says that once this case of theft was closed he cannot continue to prosecute.

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Run Time:	00:07
Description: "Once we prosecute someone for conduct, we can't re-prosecute them for that same conduct of theft because it's later determined that the amount was incorrectly determined or not fully determined the first time."

State Auditor Susan Montee says she suggests the prosecutor reopens the case and believes there is the ability to at least try to do so.

Reporting from the State Capitol, I'm Rebecca Stephen.