The former president of Joplin High School Project Graduation, Inc. pleaded not guilty to felony stealing charges January 3 during her arraignment in Newton County Circuit Court.
According to the probable cause statement Melanie Dawn Patterson, 42, Joplin, allegedly stole $1,400 from the Project Graduation bank account through four withdrawals from the Southwest Missouri Bank ATM at 1102 E. 32nd Street.
The withdrawals were made on September 15, September 30, October 12 and October 13.
From the probable cause statement:
Melanie D. Patterson was the president of Joplin High School Project Graduation Inc. Class of 2023 and was issued a Debit Card (last #9478) through Southwest Missouri Bank.The treasurer for Joplin Project Graduation noticed suspicious activity on the account and upon going through bank records noticed five withdrawals that had not been approved by the organization. The withdrawals had been made with card #9478 at the ATM located at 1102 E 32nd St on the following dates for the following amounts:
1. 09-15-2022 for $150 at 1244 hours
2. 09-30-2022 for $150 at 1731 hours
3. 10-12-2022 for $500 at 1356 hours
4. 10-13-2022 for $300 at 1738 hours
5. 10-20-2022 for $300 at 1214 hours
Video obtained from the ATM confirmed that Melanie D. Patterson withdrew money on each occasion as she exited her vehicle registered to her, and she was the only one present during each transaction.
Patterson was contacted via phone and stated that the debit card in question was stolen a while back and she had nothing to do with the thefts and refused to speak with officers further on the matter.
A pre-trial conference is scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday, March 6.
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6 comments:
How embarrassing for her kids
Either she forgot that ATMs have a video camera, or never knew that.
Ooops.
"Patterson was contacted via phone and stated that the debit card in question was stolen a while back and she had nothing to do with the thefts and refused to speak with officers further on the matter."
Sad.
Next - Who is she going to blame her dog? No, Excuse - she needs to be Prosecuted. It is time for her to be held Accountable - - you have the evidence - No Excuses.
Stealing from the Joplin High School Project Graduation, Inc. - is such a Deplorable Act.
This is why when you have any Non-Profit, or Business, or Company, Etc., - you need to make sure that you have Two or More Parties on all Bank Accounts – and that you Audit the Accounts on a Monthly Basis and receive Notifications of any Account Changes - - Also, if you can – make any and all Parties that Handle the Money - - Bondable – so if something happens the Insurance Company can cover the lose.
This happens all the time - - but Non-Profits and Businesses – Keep making the same Mistakes. Multiple Individuals need to be on the Bank Accounts, Audit the Accounts a Minimal of Once a Month, have all Parties Bondable - - they will do a Background Check on the Individuals before Writing the Coverage, but at least if Heaven Forbid you or your Company becomes a Victim – you will have Financial Relive – and not end up being Ruined by a Financial Situation of Theft.
Let me guess, Gambling addiction?
Indians got that money
You are correct, this is a simple problem with simple preventive measures, At a minimum all school, and school related accounts should be done this way. And there shouldn’t be debit cards with these accounts, old school checks even though it’s a pain. Provo me wrong
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