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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend October 5, 2005 Charity treasurer ordered to pay restitution By SARAH LEMON Mail Tribune Convicted of stealing from a Central Point charity, the agency’s former treasurer was sentenced Tuesday to serve probation and community service. Connie Ann Pugh, 40, of the 1200 block of Corona Avenue, Medford, agreed Tuesday in Jackson County Circuit Court to never again serve as a board member or officer of a non-profit organization or to solicit funds for charity, said Rachel Bridges, deputy district attorney for Jackson County. Pugh must pay $2,300 in restitution for money stolen from Gleaning Network Inc., in addition to serving a year and six months’ probation and 40 hours of community service. Pugh’s felony charge of first-degree theft was reduced Tuesday to a misdemeanor under negotiations with the District Attorney’s Office. Pugh was arrested in December following a four-month investigation by the charitable activities division of the Oregon Department of Justice and Central Point police. A former Gleaning Network board member alerted investigators to the crime. The agency’s former president, 58-year-old Jessyca Lucille Baxter of Butte Falls, also was charged with theft in the case. Baxter, however, died last month of colon cancer, about three weeks before her trial date. Advertisement The two women stole about $4,564 in cash between April 2004 and July 2004, said Central Point police Detective Kris Allison. Other thefts included donated clothing, food and other items, Allison said. Bridges said Pugh’s charge was reduced because the case became more difficult to prove after Baxter’s death. Since the theft, Gleaning Network has worked closely with the Department of Justice to implement a system of checks and balances, said treasurer Tom Lindsey. The board now receives monthly treasury reports, and more than $10,000 has amassed in the agency’s checking account, Lindsey said. Gleaning Network distributes donated food to about 250 poor families, Lindsey said. Able-bodied members gather fruit, vegetables and other produce from local orchards and gardens. The agency also runs a thrift store at 211 N. Front St., Central Point. Reach reporter Sarah Lemon at 776-4487, or e-mail Charity treasurer ordered to pay restitution ">[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 Website Templates www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker dvd-r Helzberg Diamonds Distance Education Computer Security Casino Gambling Sites Website Hosting Student Loans tcg student loan consolidation Online Pharmacy Memory Foam Mattress Diamonds Online Poker Home Equity Loans Windermere Van Vleet Reservationstogo Hotel Reservations w2 forms Mortgage Calculator Free Home-Loan Referrals Online Casino News Rogue Valley Blogs Natto Kinase Nattokinase Advertisement s