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Suspected embezzlers plead not guilty |
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Monday, 18 May 2009 |
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By Mike Gervais
Register Staff
5-16-2009 Four Inyo County residents accused of embezzling more than $100,000 from the Lone Pine Indian Education Center have pleaded “not guilty” and are awaiting their next court date on Tuesday, June 9.
There are 29 felony counts being levied against former LPIEC Bookkeeper and Officer Manager Mary Jefferson, Assistant to the Director Sara Jefferson, Former Director Gary Donnelly and former Bookkeeper Mary Donnelly.
The charges include 12 felony counts of grand theft by embezzlement, 12 felony counts of credit card fraud, one felony count of possession of stolen property, one felony county of conspiracy to commit the crime of grand theft by embezzlement and fraudulent use of a credit card and one misdemeanor county of destroying evidence. There are also two special enhancements alleging the felony conduct involves taking more than $100,000.
The District Attorney’s Office alleges that the four defendants used LPIEC credit cards to purchase personal goods from department stores, grocery stores and electronics stores.
All four defendants were arraigned on or before Tuesday, May 4, and each pleaded not guilty. Mary Jefferson will be represented by Public Defender Dana Crom, Mary Donnelly will be represented by Public Defender Victoria Campbell and Sarah Jefferson will be represented by Public Defender Elizabeth Corpora. Mike Donnelly has hired private practice attorney Tom Hardy to represent him in future proceedings.
“At this point they are all charged together,” Prosecuting Attorney Phil McDowell said. Any of the four defendant’s attorneys have the option of filing a motion to remove their client from the group charges so that, if the case goes to jury trial, they will be tried separate. “That’s something that usually comes later in the proceedings,” McDowell said, adding that “it would not be a surprise” if all four defendants wish to be tired separately.
All four defendants are scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday, June 9 for a “trial setting conference,” at which time, McDowell said, the District Attorney’s Office and the defence attorneys will begin talks about plea agreements.
If the case does go to jury trial, McDowell said his office is confident in its case.
“The District Attorney’s Office doesn’t normally file cases they aren’t feeling confident about,” he said.
Working with the U.S. Department of Education and the California Department of Education, the District Attorney’s office served more than 10 search warrants in hopes of obtaining and reconstructing records from the LPIEC.
According to the District Attorney’s Office, the investigation into the missing LPIEC funds was hampered by missing or destroyed records, but, with evidence collected from witnesses and the search warrants, District Attorney Art Maillet said his office has been able to form a strong case against the Jeffersons and the Donnellys.
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Last Updated ( Friday, 10 July 2009 )
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