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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend February 3, 2005 State probes missing funds By JACK MORAN Mail Tribune CENTRAL POINT — The state Department of Justice is investigating the possible theft of public funds from the city’s Municipal Court. DOJ and city officials are tight-lipped about the embezzlement investigation, which began last August after an internal audit showed money was missing from Municipal Court accounts, Central Point City Manager Phil Messina said. Central Point police were immediately notified of the discovery, but turned over the investigation to the DOJ because the probe involved a city employee, Messina said. When the discrepancy came to light, Messina placed Municipal Court clerk Katrina Blanton on administrative leave, pending the investigation’s outcome. Advertisement Messina said Blanton, a four-year city employee, was the only full-time Municipal Court worker. She collected fines, among other court administration duties. In September, less than three weeks after being placed on leave, Blanton tendered her resignation. She wrote in a resignation letter that "health reasons" had forced her to quit. When first contacted about the investigation, Messina would only say that the DOJ was working with the city to look into the possible theft of funds, and that "administrative steps" had been taken to prevent any future embezzlement from occurring. After serving the city with a formal public-records request for more information relating to the suspected Municipal Court thefts, the Mail Tribune received a series of letters relating to Blanton’s resignation. Neither Messina nor DOJ spokesman Kevin Neely would reveal how much money is believed to be missing. Neely refused to say when he expected the investigation to conclude. No charges have been filed. Besides placing Blanton on administrative leave, Messina said the city made a number of other changes when discrepancies were discovered. Management of Municipal Court was transferred to new Finance Director Jill Turner, a new court clerk was hired and the city purchased software to make it easier to track court transactions. Contacted Wednesday by phone, Blanton reaffirmed that she resigned for health reasons. She said DOJ investigators had not contacted her. The investigation "didn’t have anything to do with why I resigned," she said. "I ultimately resigned for health reasons. ... I haven’t been investigated by anybody." Reach reporter Jack Moran at 776-4459, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker dvd-r Distance Education Computer Security Ztech Media Hosting Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Student Loans tcg student loan consolidation Online Pharmacy online casino Myspace Home Equity Loans Windermere Van Vleet Rogue Valley Travel Reservationstogo Hotel Reservations Southern Oregon Loans Online Casino News Natto Kinase Nattokinase Casino Gambling Sites Budget Website Templates Investments & Loans Advertisement s