Trial date set for Mitchener

Friday, January 23, 2009

A trial date had been set for a woman accused of stealing more than $50,000 from Old National Trail, an organization that provides services to special needs students in all of Putnam County's school districts.

Tammy Y. Mitchener, 32, of Roachdale was in Putnam County Circuit Court Thursday for a pretrial conference. Mitchener's counsel, Robert Perry, requested at least 90 days to prepare for a trial. Judge Matthew Headley granted that request, setting a jury trial date of April 22.

Headley also set a final pretrial conference in the case for April 2, and ordered that any plea agreements must be filed by March 26.

Mitchener was employed as ONT's treasurer when the thefts are alleged to have occurred. She is facing charges of Class C felony corrupt business influence (also known as racketeering) and Class D felony theft. If convicted on both charges, Mitchener could face up to 11 years in prison.

Mitchener is accused of funneling funds from ONT to herself through a dummy corporation she allegedly set up. It is alleged that she would issue ONT checks to the dummy corporation for services supposedly rendered.

Mitchener would then take the issued checks and deposit them into an account she created at North Salem State Bank and would later move them into her personal checking account using online banking services, court documents said. Mitchener is alleged to have written 24 checks to herself.

An investigation by the Indiana State Police culminated in her arrest on Dec. 2.

Mitchener's thefts are alleged to have occurred between July 1, 2007, when she took the job at ONT, and Nov. 30, 2008. The amount of the thefts is listed in court documents as $50,839.16.

Mitchener remains free on 10 percent of a $10,000 bond, which a family member posted for her the day of her arrest.

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  • I am still looking for a job that you get rewarded for being dishonest. I am an honest person, but it sure looks like "crime pays". At least, $50,839.16.

    It looks as if Putnam County is the county to work in if you need extra funds.

    -- Posted by Taxpayer5253 on Fri, Jan 23, 2009, at 8:20 AM
  • Give her the 11 years and show this county that YOU WILL GO TO JAIL IF YOU STEAL MONEY!!!

    -- Posted by mojo2 on Fri, Jan 23, 2009, at 8:25 AM
  • I don't understand these people who steal! And I don't understand why these thieves are getting away with this fraud for such long periods of time before someone notices!

    Doesn't anyone audit their books anymore? Who is supervising this bookkeeping?

    Has anyone heard of NOT letting the person who writes the checks, also do the bank reconciliations?

    How can the 'people in charge' not miss over $50,000.00 of missing money in a years time????

    Someone is not doing their job.

    -- Posted by just a local on Fri, Jan 23, 2009, at 8:38 AM
  • I have heard a couple people (her friends) talking about this woman. They say things like "She is such a nice woman, she just didn't think this through" or "she just made a mistake, she was tempted bc she needed the money"

    Bull!! This woman set up a fake coorperation so that she could steal this money! (from special needs children) Then took the checks and deposited them into an account that she created and then moved them into her personal checking account. Stealing over 50 thousand dollars!! That isn't like seeing the company's petty cash box, and taking a a handful of money to feed her family bc of the temptation. This was well thought out and took time. Not to mention the cahounas to even do it. She knew what she was doing and that it was wrong and did not care. She should be punished appropriately

    -- Posted by putnammom on Fri, Jan 23, 2009, at 9:53 AM
  • Here comes another slap on the wrist. I bet that she serves less then 2 years. Another blunder by the bums in the courthouse!

    -- Posted by 1stamendrights on Fri, Jan 23, 2009, at 10:48 AM
  • Did anyone ever think someone like this could use a mental evaluation. I dont think shes being rewarded. Her and her family will have this haunt them for the rest of their lives. I think what turned out to be a petty theft escalated into an addiction. Throwing her in jail isnt the answer. Sounds like she could use some counseling.

    -- Posted by skittlebug on Sat, Jan 24, 2009, at 12:07 PM
  • Jail may not be the answer for many people,but that is what is supposed to happen when you break the law.Exceptions seem to have been made for some though.Others, who have done their time but for some reason have violated probation,usually something minor,get thrown back in jail without anyone blinking an eye.Usually doesn't serve a purpose then either,but no one speaks up for them. Wonder why that is.

    -- Posted by redrose2 on Sat, Jan 24, 2009, at 3:42 PM
  • For the Money she took, She could at least have done something better with her Hair, that picture is Embarssing!!

    Another slap on the wrist comming Putnam County,,,Remember Hartman? Bet Probation on this one...

    -- Posted by Afghan Contractor on Sat, Jan 24, 2009, at 8:35 PM
  • excuse me smaller........but wth? Do the crime.......do the time..............no more slap on the wrists........no more sob stories about......I needed it to make ends meet.........stealing is stealing...done deal

    -- Posted by sad_but_true on Sat, Jan 24, 2009, at 8:52 PM
  • I AGREE 100% THAT SHE SHOULD STAND ACCOUNTABLE FOR HER ACTIONS.I JUST THINK SOME COUNSELING SHOULD BE A BIG PART OF HER REHABILITATION.

    -- Posted by skittlebug on Sun, Jan 25, 2009, at 9:46 PM
  • I HAVE HAD SEVERAL RUN INS WITH HER AND BELIEVE ME THERE IS NO REMORSE. SHE WALKS INTO A ROOM WITH HER HEAD HELD HIGH. I EVEN HEARD HER IN A ARGUMENT HAVE THE GAUL TO CALL SOMEONE ELSE A LIAR. IF THE PUTNAM CO. PROSECUTER DOESNT THROW THE BOOK AT HER. THEY SHOULD BE FIRED.............

    -- Posted by cougarftball on Mon, Jan 26, 2009, at 11:56 AM
  • Posted bond with stolen money what a wonderful world!

    -- Posted by 1stamendrights on Wed, Jan 28, 2009, at 11:00 AM
  • I guess she does not know the word remorse. She can still plan a birthday party for her daughter and invite people over for a super bowl party. Gee, let me steal $56,000 and then spend it on parties! Come on Judge, you better do something or you won't be in office for long.

    -- Posted by specialfriend on Wed, Jan 28, 2009, at 11:49 AM
  • Don't forget Specialfriend the trip she is planning over the summer for her and her husband!!!

    -- Posted by Cougars on Fri, Jan 30, 2009, at 11:35 AM
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