Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Thursday, December 20, 2018
(SPENCER) - Morgan Township Trustee, 80-year-old Patricia Ann Flowers, was arrested after a multi-year investigation discovered missing funds.
She was arrested on two felony charges of theft, three felony counts of theft where the value of the property is between $750 and $50K, one felony count of official misconduct and four counts of by a public servant.
The investigation was conducted by the Indiana State Board of Accounts, the Owen County Sheriff's Department and the Owen County Prosecutor's Office.
The State Board of Accounts contacted police in 2017 that a multi-year audit of Morgan Township Trustee funds showed missing and misappropriated money.
Agents had previously contacted Flowers concerning her actions. But despite those warning Flowers continued her actions.
Police subpoenaed Flowers bank records and those of Morgan Township and found misappropriated funds from 2014 through 2018.
According to court records, in 2014, Flowers failed to withhold taxes of $144.54 on her township trustee earnings and subsequently used township funds to pay her taxes.
In 2015, Flowers failed to again to withhold proper tax amounts on her township trustee earnings and subsequently used $550.80 in township funds to pay her taxes. Flowers also paid herself in excess of $1,200 her allotted annual compensation.
In 2016, Flowers again failed to withhold proper tax of $550.80 on her township trustee earnings and subsequently used township funds to pay her taxes. Flowers again overpaid herself $1,000.
In 2017, Flowers again failed to withhold proper tax of $550.80 on her township Trustee earnings and subsequently used township funds to pay her taxes.
In 2018, Flowers used township funds to pay a personal liability to the Cincinnati Insurance Co in the amount of $2,997.48. She also overpaid herself $544.10.
After these findings were submitted to the Owen County Prosecutor's Office, a warrant was issued for Flowers arrest. She was arrested without incident on Dec. 17. She has since posted bond and been released from custody. She is scheduled to appear in court this morning.
Flowers posted a $1,000 bond and was released from the Owen County Security Center. She will appear in Owen Circuit Court this morning at for her initial hearing at 12:15 p.m. today.
1340 AM WBIW welcomes comments and suggestions by calling 812.277.1340 during normal business hours or by email at comments@wbiw.com
© Ad-Venture Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.