Update: Benton Police Make Arrest in Parks Department Theft Case
By: KARK 4 News
Updated: July 5, 2012
Update: (July 5):
Detectives with the Benton Police Department have arrested the city's former Assistant Parks Director for charges related to a theft of property case.
The investigation of Kitty Smith, 57, was initiated in April of this year in regards to possible funds missing from a Benton Parks and Recreation concession stand account.
An independent CPA firm was hired to conduct a review of the account and found discrepancies in the ledgers. As a result of the investigation it was determined that Smith was responsible for the theft of some of the funds and also for tampering with the business records related to the account.
Smith is charged with Theft of Property, Computer Fraud, and Falsifying Business Records.
She was processed through the Saline County Detention Facility without incident and has a $5,000 sheriff's bond set.
Benton Police say this is an on-going case and Smith could face additional charges related to this incident.
Anyone with information about the case is urged to call the Benton Police Department at (501) 778-1171 or (501) 315-TIPS. Individuals may also send an anonymous text with information to the number CRIMES (274637) with the keyword BNPD in the text of the message.
Original Story (May 7):
Benton's Assistant Parks Director has been fired after police say she admitted to taking concession sales money for her own personal use.
Kitty Smith's confession was revealed by the Benton Police Department in a letter (see attachment below) sent to City Attorney Brent Houston.
The letter reveals that in addition to admitting she took the money, Smith also told investigators she tried to cover her tracks by altering financial records.
The amount of money Smith admitting taking is not yet known and the letter states her "cooperation in this investigation has become difficult." Benton Police say their next step will get a subpoena to look into Smith's bank account to determine a more exact amount of the theft.
Shortly after the police department's letter was delivered to Houston, the Parks Department issued a news release that stated Smith had been fired. The news release was signed by Interim Parks Director Gene Moss.
Late last month, the Benton Parks board members reported they were trying to find about $6,000 that was missing from the Tyndall Park concession stand.
Detectives with the Benton Police Department have arrested the city's former Assistant Parks Director for charges related to a theft of property case.
The investigation of Kitty Smith, 57, was initiated in April of this year in regards to possible funds missing from a Benton Parks and Recreation concession stand account.
An independent CPA firm was hired to conduct a review of the account and found discrepancies in the ledgers. As a result of the investigation it was determined that Smith was responsible for the theft of some of the funds and also for tampering with the business records related to the account.
Smith is charged with Theft of Property, Computer Fraud, and Falsifying Business Records.
She was processed through the Saline County Detention Facility without incident and has a $5,000 sheriff's bond set.
Benton Police say this is an on-going case and Smith could face additional charges related to this incident.
Anyone with information about the case is urged to call the Benton Police Department at (501) 778-1171 or (501) 315-TIPS. Individuals may also send an anonymous text with information to the number CRIMES (274637) with the keyword BNPD in the text of the message.
Original Story (May 7):
Benton's Assistant Parks Director has been fired after police say she admitted to taking concession sales money for her own personal use.
Kitty Smith's confession was revealed by the Benton Police Department in a letter (see attachment below) sent to City Attorney Brent Houston.
The letter reveals that in addition to admitting she took the money, Smith also told investigators she tried to cover her tracks by altering financial records.
The amount of money Smith admitting taking is not yet known and the letter states her "cooperation in this investigation has become difficult." Benton Police say their next step will get a subpoena to look into Smith's bank account to determine a more exact amount of the theft.
Shortly after the police department's letter was delivered to Houston, the Parks Department issued a news release that stated Smith had been fired. The news release was signed by Interim Parks Director Gene Moss.
Late last month, the Benton Parks board members reported they were trying to find about $6,000 that was missing from the Tyndall Park concession stand.
Comments
Does anyone else notice how poorly written these new stories are?
Mark M.
May 7, 2012 at 10:02 pm
