by Sean Boone
A 32-year veteran of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has been accused of stealing more than $100,000 in department funds.
Catherine Lister, who retired on Jan. 29 from the finance department, was charged with first-degree larceny on Thursday.
Sheriff David Morgan said at a press conference that Lister was confronted after an employee discovered discrepancies in bookkeeping on Monday.
“The upside to this case is the safeguards we have implemented enabled us to identify the funding loss,” Morgan said.
The Sheriff also said further charges could be filed against Lister dependent upon evidence gathered in the ongoing investigation. She is currently being held on bond for $25,000 at the county jail.
Lt. Ray Briggs, who is heading the investigation, said the money was taken out of three sources of funds:
—evidence trust fund
—contraband
—cash seized in arrests
Lister allegedly took cash out of bank deposits and created two sets of receipts for bookkeeping. Records show she took funds from as far back as 2008.
Morgan said county officials will be doing a separate investigation of the missing funds on Monday and said he was confident it was a solo crime.
“I spoke to the employees (from finances) and I can tell you there were a lot of tear-filled eyes,” he said. “This is someone they’ve worked with for many years.
“There is no reason to believe there is anyone but professionals in that office.”
Popularity: 5% [?]
Sherrif David Morgan,
I have a copy of the arrest report and in reading the report it appears that I could have been right, you found this on accident. I cannot see where if Ms Huston had not received the settlment agreement that day involving a seizure of 19,294.00 she would have had no reason to look for the receipt books. Therefore, there would have been no reason to look in the shred container whereas shortly after the books would have been forever destroyed. With that being said, how would you ever find it moving forward.
So, spin it, white wash it do what you feel is important to make you look good.
However, I would suggest this. Posting contradictions to your official arrest report online could not be helpful to Mr Eddins case. It just seems reasonable to me that if I were a defense attorney representing Ms Lister I would have to question why the Sherrif’s statements on here were not the same as the arrest report. But hey, I am not a sherrif, a deputy or an attorney … it just makes sense to me. But, it could be just a simple mistake based on lack of real law enforcement experience.
Thank you Sheriff Morgan for participating.
So did Catherine Lister see the writing on the wall and think she might be able to retire without being nabbed?
Or was this a long planned retirement date?
1.Muerto Adonis says:
February 15, 2010 at 9:25 am
Mark:
It appears alot of your comments are based on unfounded inuendo, such as your comments about the sheriff and your repeated jabs at the “Studer Baseball Stadium”… just saying.
Oh Really … so can you explain to me the following items that has troubled me about the Field of Schemes
1.) Why is it that now the Citizens of Pensacola is on the hook when we were sold the fact that it was the CRA that would pay for it.
2.) Why is it that the park that was sold to the public via the Fantasy Renderings is not what is being built?
3.) Where are all the ammentities which were itemized in the park’s initial proposal prior to the vote?
4.) Where is the operational budget for the park and if revenue at the park cannot pay for maintaining it, who pays?
5.) Why was Gindroz sold to the public via a PR as some big planner who just happened to say we needed this, when in fact and there are emails to prove it, was actually a puppet for the CMPA. I clearly have an email where Mr Studer himself wanted to ensure that Mr Gindroz protected the in interest of the Park’s principals, i.e. Baseball Stadium.
I can go on and on … No Sir … this park is a scandal and I stand by my opinion.
Mr Morgan,
Thank you for settng that straight. I am impressed that the Sherrif of Escambia County set that straight for me. Also, I am very happy to learn that this was not accidently discovered but as a part of your checks and balances.
Mr Morgan, I stand corrected and thank you.
With regard to the comment about the retired Air Force. No offense, but, being in the Air Force does not make one qualified in a field or area they are not trained. My comment, however, ill concieved, was based on the rumors flying about that you give preferential treatment to Air Force retirees and are placing them in positions they are not qualified.
But then again, I may be as wrong about that as I was about the earlier comment that I made and I am more than willing to stand corrected and offer my apology.
Good answer Mr. Morgan. I am probably what most folks in this town would call a liberal but I voted for you. I think you are doing a fine job.
Mr. Clabaugh,
Just a few of your facts are in error, ergo your inside source may not be as reliable as one may be led to believe.
On February 18, 2010, the Clerk of the Court will make a matter of public record the independent audit I commissioned upon entering office in January of 2009. You and others will in fact find that because of the implemented recommendations the accounting error was caught. Most assuredly, the discovery of the records placed in the destruct bin will aid in the investigation of the case, however, it would have gone forward with or without them.
Why wasn’t it discovered earlier? This individual was a 32 year “trusted employee.” Quite ironically, the new procedures directly affected her area of matching evidence documents and resolving them with actual deposits. Sadly, she (of course) did not follow the new procedures, but the employee following her did, and the error was discovered.
As for your comment on AF retirees’s (veterans in general?)I am sure that it will be as well received by the 40% of Escambia County residents that have military ties as it was by me.
But you may take comfort in knowing that millions of veterans are serving honorably to afford you the freedom to indiscriminately blog.
David Morgan, Sheriff
Escambia County, FL
436-9512
From what I understand, they found this on accident and that had the Shredder truck been about 30 minutes earlier the evidence of this would have been lost forever and the alleged crime would have never ever been uncovered.
“The upside to this case is the safeguards we have implemented enabled us to identify the funding loss,” Morgan said.
LOL, you mean when Catherine Lister was not present to hand you the “correct” book?
What about the annual audit by an outside firm? why didn’t that company catch this ??
Are there enough Airforce Retirees that know didly squaut about Law Enforcement to fill all of those positions? Just wondering …
As a friend and supporter of Sheriff Morgan, my only suggestion, and I have suggested this before, DO THE “JAMES OWEN TECHNIQUE” Clean out all of Ronnie Mac’s appointments, except for boots on the ground, bring in new people to run all departments.