Documents: Controller of Andy Williams theater embezzled more than $250,000

A federal grand jury indicted the former controller of the Andy Williams Moon River Theatre in Branson for tax fraud.

Documents filed today in U. S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri show that Dawn K. Cleveringa, who worked for the theatre from 1992 to 2009 supervising financial transactions and handling payroll, embezzled more than a quarter of a million dollars during 2007 and 2008.

Cleveringa waived reading the indictment and has already reached a plea agreement. The crime was described in court documents:

During 2007 and 2008, Cleveringa used her position as Controller of the Andy Williams Theatre to make unauthorized payments to herself, and unauthorized payments of her personal expenses from funds of 
the Andy Williams Theatre. To disguise her theft, Cleveringa manipulated the accounting system of the Andy Williams Theatre.

 In this manner, in 2007, Cleveringa embezzled approximately $160,642.91 from the Andy Williams Theatre. In this manner, in 2008, Cleveringa embezzled approximately $102,013.51 from the Andy Williams Theatre.

Cleveringa prepared and electronically filed her 2007 and 2008 Federal income tax returns in the Western District of Missouri. 

Cleveringa intentionally omitted embezzled income in the amount of $160,642.91 from her 2007 Federal  income tax return, which was filed jointly with her husband, resulting in approximate additional tax due and 
owing of $55,824. Cleveringa intentionally omitted embezzled income of $102,013.51 from her 2008 Federal income tax return, which was filed married filing separately, resulting in approximate additional tax due and owing of $35,705.

Under a plea agreement, the government will not file any additional charges against Cleveringa.

Cleveringa is represented by Springfield attorney Dee Wampler.