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The Pulaski County Prosecuting Attorney filed charges against Bernard L. Easton, 60, of Waynesville for allegedly embezzling $70,000 from the William C. Anderson Memorial American Legion Post 331.
According to the statement of probable cause, Easton — the Legion finance manager — signed for multiple cash withdrawals. The cash withdrawals allegedly depleted the general account as well as accounts for the building, Keno and basketball in 2011.
Easton is a long-time member of the post and served as Finance Officer for more than 15 years.
The missing money was brought to the attention of the Post Commander Dwight Nutting by his First Vice President Don Slater. According to the probable cause statement Nutting said Slater told him the legion had approximately $84,000 missing from the accounts.
Nutting and Slater told police the legion had three checks returned for inefficient funds
According to the probable cause statement, Slater told police that after he discovered the accounts depleted, “he reviewed the statements at the bank, it showed Mr. Easton had been making large cash withdrawals throughout 2011.”
Nutting told officers he questioned Easton about the missing money from the accounts and Easton confessed to taking the money.
According to Nutting, Easton lost the money gambling and intended to pay it back by playing scratch-off tickets.
“Easton told me he had lost the money attempting to win back money by buying scratch-off tickets... He got in over his head and couldn't get out.”
According to the probable cause statement, on Tuesday, Nov. 8, Easton walked into the St. Robert Police Department told police he was turning himself in for stealing from the American Legion.
Easton has been charged with stealing, a Class B felony. If convicted, he could serve five to 15 years in prison.
Easton is scheduled for arraignment on Feb. 8, before 25th Judicial Circuit Judge, Division 1, Tracy Storie.
The Pulaski County Prosecuting Attorney filed charges against Bernard L. Easton, 60, of Waynesville for allegedly embezzling $70,000 from the William C. Anderson Memorial American Legion Post 331.
According to the statement of probable cause, Easton — the Legion finance manager — signed for multiple cash withdrawals. The cash withdrawals allegedly depleted the general account as well as accounts for the building, Keno and basketball in 2011.
Easton is a long-time member of the post and served as Finance Officer for more than 15 years.
The missing money was brought to the attention of the Post Commander Dwight Nutting by his First Vice President Don Slater. According to the probable cause statement Nutting said Slater told him the legion had approximately $84,000 missing from the accounts.
Nutting and Slater told police the legion had three checks returned for inefficient funds
According to the probable cause statement, Slater told police that after he discovered the accounts depleted, “he reviewed the statements at the bank, it showed Mr. Easton had been making large cash withdrawals throughout 2011.”
Nutting told officers he questioned Easton about the missing money from the accounts and Easton confessed to taking the money.
According to Nutting, Easton lost the money gambling and intended to pay it back by playing scratch-off tickets.
“Easton told me he had lost the money attempting to win back money by buying scratch-off tickets... He got in over his head and couldn't get out.”
According to the probable cause statement, on Tuesday, Nov. 8, Easton walked into the St. Robert Police Department told police he was turning himself in for stealing from the American Legion.
Easton has been charged with stealing, a Class B felony. If convicted, he could serve five to 15 years in prison.
Easton is scheduled for arraignment on Feb. 8, before 25th Judicial Circuit Judge, Division 1, Tracy Storie.
