Gambling is to blame for a former Central Point city employee's embezzlement of more than $73,000 in public funds, her attorney said.
Katrina Ann Blanton, 46, was sentenced Monday to 20 days in jail for stealing traffic fines paid to the city over several years' employment there.
The former Central Point Municipal Court clerk pleaded guilty in Jackson County Circuit Court to counts of aggravated first-degree theft, official misconduct and falsifying business records.
"It's really hard when a public employee ... does something like this," said City Administrator Phil Messina, who attended Monday's hearing.
"It's a significant amount of money."
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Blanton, who lists her address in the 1500 block of Medford's South Peach Street, hasn't worked for the city since August 2004, when an internal audit showed funds missing from its municipal court accounts.
The only full-time court employee, Blanton worked for the city for four years. She resigned several weeks after being placed on administrative leave. She had no prior criminal record and was not arrested for the theft.
Central Point police turned the investigation over to Oregon Department of Justice officials, who handed it off to the Jackson County District Attorney's Office last summer. The sum of $73,489 quoted in court represented only what prosecutors could prove in trial after untangling a mess of documents, said Rachel Bridges, county deputy district attorney.
Blanton cooperated with prosecutors and waived presentment of the case to a grand jury, Bridges said. Circuit Court Judge Bill Purdy dismissed nine other felony and misdemeanor charges, including racketeering, under Blanton's agreement with the District Attorney's Office. She also must serve two years' probation and repay the city. Purdy allowed her to report to jail in two weeks.
To prevent future internal theft, the city implemented new accounting software and tracking procedures, Messina said Monday.
"We don't think this is going to be able to happen again," he said.
Reach reporter Sarah Lemon at 776-4487, or e-mail slemon@mailtribune.com.
