|
|
Published October 01, 2008 09:42 pm - NEOSHO, Mo. — A Noel woman who served as treasurer for what was the Humane Society for Newton and McDonald counties has been charged with embezzling almost $90,000 from the organization over a three-year period.
Group’s treasurer accused of stealing money earmarked for animal shelter
By Derek Spellman
dspellman@joplinglobe.com
NEOSHO, Mo. — A Noel woman who served as treasurer for what was the Humane Society for Newton and McDonald counties has been charged with embezzling almost $90,000 from the organization over a three-year period.
Patsy L. LeSueur, 55, was free after posting bond late Wednesday afternoon, according to Newton County authorities. She was charged with one count of Class B felony theft after allegedly writing herself 48 checks totaling more than $89,812 from funds that had been set aside by the New-Mac Regional Humane Society for construction of an animal shelter, according to Neosho police Chief Dave McCracken. Neosho police conducted the investigation because the bank with the organization’s account is in Neosho.
LeSueur had been serving as the organization’s secretary and treasurer.
She also is the city clerk for Noel and the wife of former McDonald County sheriff’s Deputy Mike LeSueur.
Karla Meador, the Noel city collector, said that as of Wednesday, Patsy LeSueur was still employed with the city but was on a leave of absence. Patsy LeSueur has been on a leave of absence since Saturday, Meador said, and then referred other questions to Mayor Paul Gardner.
A phone message left for Gardner at his home was not returned.
Gregg Sweeten, chief deputy for the McDonald County Sheriff’s Department, said Mike LeSueur left the department several months ago to become an international police adviser for Civpol, which has been training the emergent Iraqi police force. Mike LeSueur also was listed as a member of the Humane Society’s board of directors on its last annual report filed in December 2005.
The Globe’s efforts to reach both of the LeSueurs for comment Wednesday were unsuccessful.
In a probable-cause affidavit filed with the complaint, Neosho police Detective Michael Whitehead wrote that the New-Mac Regional Humane Society had never authorized Patsy LeSueur to issue checks for herself, and that it never had need for “supplies, travel expenses, or any other items she claimed in the memo portion of the checks.” Patsy LeSueur also admitted to Whitehead in an interview that she “was not authorized to make payments to herself, nor did she have the expenditures that she claimed,” according to the affidavit.
McCracken said he did not anticipate any further arrests in connection with the case.
The investigation began, according to court documents, when Neosho lawyer Dwight Douglas contacted authorities.
Douglas told the Globe on Wednesday that he is not a member of the society’s board of directors but that he was contacted by a member of the board who had concerns about the group’s finances. He declined to identify the board member. Douglas said he then asked the bank to examine the financial records, whereupon it found discrepancies. Douglas said he then contacted authorities.
The New-Mac Regional Humane Society was incorporated as a nonprofit entity in 2002, according to online records from the Missouri secretary of state. It was technically dissolved by the state in late December 2006 because an annual report had not be filed, although online records show that Patsy LeSueur contacted the secretary of state’s office about reinstating the organization as late as March 2007.
•
Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.
|
|
: Special Offer For New Subscribers
:
|
 |
|
LIBRARY SPECIALIST
Crowder College Lee Library, 25 hours a week. For complete information, see www.crowder.edu, employment section, or call...>MORE
REVETER WANTED
EXPERIENCED for brake manufacturing. Please apply in person at 3215 E. 20th, Joplin, MO. ...>MORE
LIFEGUARDS
All shifts available, Apply in person at either Joplin Family Y location. www.joplinfamilyy.org....>MORE
ACCOUNTANT.
Expanding CPA firm: full time, degree/ computer skills required. Audit/tax experience preferred. Send resume to P...>MORE
NURSING PROGRAM COORDINATOR
for Crowder College in Cassville. Requires Master‚s in Nursing and two years of experience within the last five ye...>MORE
OPINIONS WANTED
For legal research project. Participants will listen to presentations and express their opinions. Project scheduled for ...>MORE
T EACHER-FULL TIME
TEACHER- Full-time Position with benefits working with children 0-6 at Discovery Center child care center. Position requ...>MORE
GROWING DENTAL PRACTICE
looking for experienced Dental Assistant. Computer knowledge a must. Resumes: 2710 Picher, Joplin, MO 64804. Deadline by...>MORE
CHILD CARE WORKER
CHILD CARE WORKER Part-time position working with children 0-6 at Discovery Center childcare center. Day and evening h...>MORE
DELIVERY DRIVER
We have a full time position open for a delivery driver. Position consists of working part time in the warehouse in addi...>MORE
See all ads |
|
1990 GMC HIGH SIERRA
short wide bed, 2 wheel drive, V-8, power windows/locks, air, CD, tinted windows, chrome wheels. $2,000 or best offer. (...>MORE
YAMAHA 1999 ROAD STAR
Yamaha, 1999 Road Star 1600 excellent condition, less than 10,000 miles, saddle bags and highway lamps. $3500. Cell phon...>MORE
2006 CHEVROLET HHR LT
automatic, 40,000 miles, loaded with options, $6200. (417)434-2949....>MORE
CHEVROLET 1997 TAHOE
CHEVROLET, 1997 TAHOE LT, 4X4, Maroon, air, excellent condition, leather seats, power everything, $2500 or best offer Pl...>MORE
1979 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
350 automatic, $5000 or trade consider. (620)230-0459...>MORE
FORD 2000 1 TON
Ford, 2000 1 ton, 4X4, 6 speed, duals, flatbed, 7.3 diesel, $6800; 1998 Bucket truck, 55’ Altec. 417-358-8636, 483-9700....>MORE
NEED 2 DRIVERS
with 3 years plus $ miles with turn arounds back to Joplin, MO. Home often. 417-325-7320....>MORE
1999 CHEVROLET TAHOE
2 door, 2 wheel drive, barn door rear, lowered, custom paint/grill/wheels, asking $5500. (417)781-1932, or cell (417)437...>MORE
1932 FORD
5 window, coupe, glass body rolling chassis, torch thrust, 2 wheels, etc, $18,000. (417)781-1932, or 417-437-9942...>MORE
FORD 2001 ESCORT
FORD, 2001 Escort, 4 cylinder, automatic, good condition. $1800. (417)437-5682....>MORE
See all ads |
|
HANDYMAN SPECIAL
Handyman Special, only $500 down, owner financing, 11% interest, $345/ month, priced at $23,900. 1120 W. 12th Street (41...>MORE
INVESTORS OR START-UP
INVESTORS OR START-UP 1217 Central. $67500 2 bedroom, 1 bath, very nice,room to build more. See more at homesbyowner.co...>MORE
LAKE FRONT MOBILE
Lake Front Mobile Grove, OK 1972 14 X 46 1 Bedroom, 1 bath lake front mobile home weekend getaway. Complete with furn...>MORE
OPEN HOUSE
405 Keeney Street, Carl Junction. Sunday July 12 • 2 p.m.-4 p.m. This home is owned by Carl Junction R-1 School Di...>MORE
2-3 BR
Basement, newly remodeled, oak cabinets, nice wood floors, privacy fence. $79,200. 2525 N. Ozark. (417)483-0900....>MORE
OPEN HOUSE
OPEN HOUSE 7/5/09 1:00-4:00 2281 sq. ft. Updated kitchen 4 br + bonus room 2 living areas Metal roof. Stapleton school ...>MORE
OWNER FINANCE
OWNER FINANCE. $650 down, $435 monthly. 201 N. Washington, Joplin, 3 BR, garage, Full price $32,500. 417-359-4113. ...>MORE
See all ads |
|
AMPLIFIER
1953 Gibson BHR, $250. (417)437-9942....>MORE
MINI SCHNAUZERS
8 weeks AKC house breaking underway, vet checked/healthy. rsfieker@yahoo.com 417-235-3168....>MORE
2002 LOWE TAHITI
2002 Lowe Tahiti 22 Deck Boat with 2002 Johnson 150 hp motor, fully loaded and lake ready, $12,500. (620)856-5165 or (41...>MORE
LAB PUPPIES
lab puppies, AKC 1 chocolate male 1 chocolate female 1 black male 1 black female Master, senior, and junior hunters on ...>MORE
PATTERN TORCH
Industrial, $500. (417)781-1932....>MORE
NASCAR
Indy Brick Yard 400, 7/26/09, 2 at $90. 417-483-1460....>MORE
ANTIQUE RADIO
ANTIQUE Radio; hanging lamps; china cabinet; carnival glass; Singer featherweight machine; 2 ladies and men diamond ring...>MORE
LOST: 10 YEAR OLD YELLOW LAB
Goldie has on a flea collar, lost 6/28 between Oak Grove and Tipton Ford. PLEASE call 417-438-2828....>MORE
INDEPENDENCE DAY BLOW OUT SALE
20% off all grocery items 20% off all cleaning supply items 20% off all refrigerators, dishwashers, deep...>MORE
YORKIE-CHORKIE
Yorkie-Chorkie, 6 weeks, weight 12 oz. and up. 417-358-4202....>MORE
See all ads |
|
 |
|