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Former Roachdale clerk pleads not guilty to theft

Friday, December 21, 2007
By MICHAEL ZENNIE, Staff Writer

The former Roachdale Clerk-Treasurer accused of stealing $3,700 from town coffers pleaded not guilty to theft charges Thursday.

Jennifer L. Crum, 32, Roachdale, turned herself in to the Putnam County Jail and was released after posting 10 percent of a $5,000 bail.

Crum is accused of giving herself $3,720 too much money in payroll checks she wrote to herself in 2006, according to a probable cause affidavit filed Wednesday.

She faces up to three years in prison and a $10,000 fine, if convicted.

When the State Board of Accounts found out about the discrepancies and confronted her, she repaid the money Oct. 3 and then resigned Oct. 4, according to the audit.

Crum's attorney Jeffrey Boggess said he is already in talks with the prosecutor's office about a plea agreement. Crum repaid the money and has strong ties to the community, both mitigating factors in the case, he said.

Crum stole the money out of financial need, Boggess added.

The State Board of Accounts also highlighted about $50,000 that the town was forced to pay in late fees, much of it to the Internal Revenue Service, the audit said.

Crum was only insured for $20,000, though Boggess said it's not uncommon for the IRS to forgive late fees to small towns like Roachdale.

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  • Hopefully they (IRS) will dismiss the penalties and late fees so the insurance will cover the rest.

    Unfortunate, another small town with big problems.

    -- Posted by Xgamer on Fri, Dec 21, 2007, at 6:28 AM

  • Let her pay the price --Jail

    -- Posted by cmlandscape on Sat, Dec 22, 2007, at 9:45 AM

  • Guess I am a bit confused. A few years ago someone in this county took more than $3700 over a period of time from PTO funds from a school.This person did 3 months in county jail then released.The only thing in the banner was the arrest at the jail.

    Now we have a situation where someone has lived up to personal accountibility by paying it back and faces 3 years in prison and 10,000 fine.Where is there consistency in our laws in this county.

    Where is the consistency. Steal from little children with no remorse and slapped on the wrist-steal from Joe public but live up to accountibility and shame and go to the slammer.

    -- Posted by peace2019 on Sat, Dec 22, 2007, at 7:22 PM

  • maybe they should have had mark arrest her,wouldn't that look good............

    -- Posted by billy b on Sat, Dec 22, 2007, at 9:34 PM

  • To WOW, you did a great job on this reporter, isnt he a pathetic person needs to get a real job. Also To BAM you are great too , never have understood how unfair the justice system can be you can even kill in some counties and if you have the right name they sweep it away as an accident.

    TO THE BUCKSTOPSNOWHERE, YOU sound awfully sure of someone elses actions is this because this is what you would do. Sure sounds like it to me.

    -- Posted by citizenpc on Sat, Dec 22, 2007, at 10:25 PM
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