Iowa Embezzler Gets Suspended Sentence, 3 years probation

A former Iowa school employee convicted of embezzling over $200,000 received a slap on the wrist with a suspended sentence and just three years probation.

35-year-old Melissa Lantz was given a 10-year suspended prison sentence after pleading guilty to theft during a hearing Friday in Dallas County District Court in Adel, Iowa. The judge did order her to pay restitution and perform community service.

Lantz was hired in 2012 by Woodward-Granger Community School District and was assigned to payroll duties. She eventually became the business manager.

What may have seemed as easy as taking candy from a baby became a problem when a state auditor identified "improper and unsupported disbursements" by the district occurring over a five year period.

Auditors noticed that Lantz issued over 100 additional checks to herself on top of her authorized paychecks.

[source: KCRG]

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