Ex-anchor for KFVS charged with theft

Former KFVS12 television reporter Tiffany N. Sisson has been charged with stealing more than $20,000 between March 1 and Nov. 20 while she was the guardian/conservator of an estate.

Sisson, 34, of Oran, Mo., turned herself in at the Scott County Jail on Monday.

She was released Monday on a $20,000 bond. If convicted of the felony stealing charge, Sisson could spend up to seven years in prison.

In a written statement Tuesday, Sisson said she is not guilty of the charges against her and that the court system will prove her innocence.

She is accused of appropriating more than $20,000 from the estate, according to a complaint filed by Scott County Prosecuting Attorney Paul Boyd. Sisson spent the money on trips out of state and other expenses, the complaint said.

Police became aware of the allegedly missing funds after Sisson filed an annual status report in November with the Scott County Probate Court indicating that more money had been spent on the ward than the $7,500 and other items totaling $3,527 allowed by the court.

According to the probable-cause statement, a subsequent investigation of bank records revealed Sisson wrote 12 checks to herself ranging from $1,000 to $4,000 between June 10 and Oct. 16.

According to police, Sisson had agreed Nov. 21 to make a final settlement and restitution for the unauthorized appropriations within 30 days, offering a 1998 Chrysler Sebring and a laptop computer as partial payment.

"I am very disappointed that anyone would attempt to harm and embarrass me with hurtful actions and allegations that are absolutely not true," Sisson said in her written statement. "I pray the truth will come out and prove that I have done nothing wrong. This is a family matter. Any bitterness on the part of my estranged family, whom I have constantly shown nothing but love, will unfortunately have to be settled in the legal system, and will ultimately prove my innocence. I truly thank God for my friends who know the truth and are standing behind me."

KFVS news director Mark Little said Sisson submitted her resignation in December, stating the reason for her departure was to move out of the state to marry. Her last day of work was Tuesday, he said.

Mike Smythe, vice president and general manager of KFVS, said Sisson joined the television station in 1997, working her way up through the ranks to news anchor. Her departure "is a big loss to the company," he said.

"She is an excellent reporter, an excellent writer and a very highly regarded employee," Smythe said.

Neither Little nor Smythe would comment on the charges pending against her.

carel@semissourian.com

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