Former extra-curricular treasurer at Castle High School sentenced

NEWS RELEASE

EVANSVILLE – United States Attorney Josh J. Minkler, announced on Tuesday the sentencing of a former Castle High School employee responsible for embezzling large amounts of cash and checks that were to be used for extra-curricular activities. Rebecca A. McKee, 61, Newburgh, was sentenced to one year and one day imprisonment by U.S. District Chief Judge Richard L. Young following her plea of guilty to three counts of theft from programs receiving federal funds.

“The citizens of Warrick County deserve better from officials in positions of trust,” said Minkler. “Those who choose to steal from our public institutions will be held accountable.”

McKee served as the extra-curricular treasurer at Castle High School in Newburgh, from 2008 through 2012. Her responsibilities included handling large amounts of cash for school activities and disbursing checks for dances, clubs, fundraisers and sporting events within Castle High School. She was also the primary person controlling the Newburgh National Bank School Extra-Curricular Account for the high school.

A State Board of Accounts audit revealed that McKee issued unauthorized checks, made fraudulent claims for re-imbursement and kept cash received for extra-curricular events. From July 2010 until August 2012, she embezzled a total of over $135,000 during the following fiscal years from the Warrick County School Corporation:

  • 2010 -2011–$19,863.49
  • 2011 -2012–$89,819.06
  • 2012 -2013–$24,325.40This investigation was a collaborative effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Indiana State Police, and the Indiana State Board of Accounts.

    “The Board of Accounts will continue to work in cooperation with its federal, state, and local partners to identify, investigate, and prosecute those who would violate the public’s trust,” said Paul Joyce, State Examiner. “We all have the right to expect honest representation from our elected and/or appointed officials at all levels of government.  I hope that those few public servants who decide to violate this trust will see that we are prosecuting these officials and realize that this is not acceptable and we will hold them accountable.”

    According to Assistant United States Attorney Kyle Sawa who prosecuted this case for the government, McKee must serve one year of supervised release following her term of imprisonment and make full restitution of $135,000.

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