Vanderburgh County: An eight month investigation concluded this evening with the arrest of the former German Township Clerk on numerous fraud and forgery charges.
The Indiana State Police Organized Crime and Corruption Unit and the Indiana State Board of Accounts began a joint investigation in August 2015 on 45 year old Virginia Massey of Evansville after an audit was conducted on the German Township accounting records. It was believed that Massey had fraudulently submitted claim forms for mileage reimbursement from January 1, 2010 through December 31, 2014 without supporting documentation. The checks totaled $12,450.71.
Investigators found that mileage documentation provided by Massey for 2010 and 2013 were identical with the exception of two entries, with numerous entries made during 2010 for visits to financial institutions and the City-County Building on weekends when the facilities were closed. A total of 145 trips to financial institutions were documented within the documentation provided by Massey, while only 9 trips coincided with actual financial transactions. Additionally, for every mileage entry during 2010 and 2012-2014, there was a 15 mile variance between the ending odometer reading on the previous trip and the beginning odometer reading for the next recorded trip. Each entry made within the 2011 log revealed a 10 mile variance between trips.
This evening at 6:10 P.M., the Indiana State Police served the arrest warrant on Massey at her Evansville address. She was arrested without incident and lodged in the Vanderburgh County Jail.
Investigating Agencies: Indiana State Police – Organized Crime and Corruption Unit, Indiana State Board of Accounts
Arrested and Charges:
Virginia M. Massey, 45
Evansville, IN
- Forgery, Class C Felony
- Forgery, Level 6 Felony
- Theft, Class D Felony
- Theft, Level 6 Felony
- Official Misconduct, Class D Felony
- Official Misconduct, Level 6 Felony
(“Class” Felonies are listed as such due to occurring prior to the change in statutory classification)
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HENSLEY
Under the Law, criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
