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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    Missouri
    Posts
    4

    Default Charged with Theft

    I live in Missouri and worked as Director of Private Probation Services for almost 20 years. I was advised in October of 2003 that I was suspected of stealing from employers. I admitted that I had taken money from company at the direction of my immediate employer. There were 2 employer's, (partners). One of the employer's had no knowledge of money being taken. I was advised that info provided by me would be taken under advisement and I would hear from them as soon as possible. I was told to leave and not return until I heard from them. After leaving, I contacted an attorney and met with him the next day. I explained everything to him, advising I had taken the money and that my employer had directed me to do it. I explained that there were other employees (11) who had either taken money to him or knew that it was being done. I advised the attorney that I suspected the employer had set me up due to me uncovering illegal activities committed by him against the Dept of Mental Health, IRS, Div. of Finance, and the state court system. I had confronted him and we had argued for approximately 2 months about this. I had evidence in my possession to include: files, video tape of him committing fraud, witnessess and etc. One of the witnesses for me, works for the Prosecuting Attorney handling my case. This attorney who has worked in the community about as long as I have, and knows this employer very well, advised me to wait and see what they do. I was to talk to no one and turn over all evidence to him, which I did. In April of 2004, I was charged with felony stealing. Due to another professional contacting the Attorney General about another matter related, a request was made that I attend a meeting with them and provide info. My attorney attended with me but refused to let me speak. I have plead not guilty and have been waiting for a trial. My question is this---Since first meeting with this attorney, he has known about illegal activities being committed by my employer and yet he says we do nothing to expose him. For some time, I have felt he is not handling my case proper. I have paid him more than I believe I should have but still owe him some money. I would like to talk to another attorney to see if my case is being handled in my best interest but don't know how to find one that will talk to me as long as I have one on retainer. I have no money to give another attorney. Any advice will be appreciated.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Behind a Desk
    Posts
    98,846

    Default Re: Charged with Theft

    You probably would not be able to get the judge to permit introduction of evidence that somebody else at your place of employment had also broken the law, as that's not relevant to whether or not you broke the law. I'm not even sure how "One of my bosses told me it is okay to steal" is particularly relevant - you don't seem to be operating under the belief that it was your money to take. For that matter, it would be odd for a boss to be going around telling his employees to steal his money.

    If you want a second opinion, you're going to have to keep calling around until you find a lawyer who will give you one.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    Missouri
    Posts
    4

    Default Re: Charged with Theft

    Perhaps I did not make myself clear. My boss was concealing money from his partner by having myself and others carry from one office to another. He has 2 offices that are not a part of the 11 they have together. If clients from his 2 offices are sent to one of the eleven they have together, he wants money collected from them, to go to him only. This money was never reported to IRS. The office I was charged with stealing from was his alone prior to their partnership. I did not keep the money, it all went to him, mostly in the form of checks, which is traceable. I have never denied taking the money, and will face whatever I need to face. However, his illegal activities are far more serious than the alledged $1700 I am responsible for. I believe he set me up to be caught after I confronted him with illegal activities I had uncovered, that were being committed by him. By not being allowed by my attorney to talk to anyone, how can he be brought to justice.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Behind a Desk
    Posts
    98,846

    Default Re: Charged with Theft

    If you took checks from one office to another on the instruction of your boss, which are traceable both as the money you took and as being cashed and deposited by your boss, what exactly is it that you feel you are responsible for? I used to deposit money in the bank for my boss, including checks, but nobody suggested that it should be a crime. Is it that you knew what your boss was doing, and were a willing accessory in his crimes?

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    Missouri
    Posts
    4

    Default Re: Charged with Theft

    My boss denies ever having me or other employees take money from any agency to him. In other words, he denies any involvement. Yes money can be traced but it has been a battle to get anyone to investigate. I have maintained since day one, I took money at his direction to him. Yes, I knew it was not the thing to do but I only blame myself and will face whatever. However, if it had been brought to the attention of authorities at day one, he would have been investigated also and would not have had 3 more years to continue his illegal activities. Now the statue of limitations has run out on him with regard to the stealing of that money. I only followed the advice of my attorney and did not talk to anyone about the facts for those three years. Happily, now after three years he and those who help protect him are under investigation by higher authorities. This investigation is directly related to my persistance he was involved.

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