Former arts council employee charged with credit fraud

A one-time employee of a local not-for-profit arts organization has been charged with stealing from her former employer.

Valaree Rutherford, of Cape Girardeau, a former administrative assistant for the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri, was arrested and charged Friday on allegations that she charged more than $13,000 to a company credit card.

Rutherford, 24, was employed by the arts council, 32 N. Main St., from July 2006 to December 2009 and was responsible for buying office supplies, scheduling the organization's events and preparing financial statements.

She made 39 unauthorized charges to the arts council's Staples credit card, which included the purchase of gift cards and a GPS unit, according to a probable-cause statement by Henry Voelker, a detective with the Cape Girardeau Police Department. She purchased a variety of gift cards, Voelker wrote, including Visa, T-Mobile, American Express and Macy's cards.

The former executive director of the arts council, Melissa Miller, told Voelker there was no legitimate reason for Rutherford to purchase the gifts cards or the GPS on the council's Staples credit card. Miller is now employed as a reporter at the Southeast Missourian.

After noticing discrepancies in the accounting, executive staff reported the fraud to authorities in December.

Arts council chair Ann Gifford said the organization has fully cooperated by providing authorities with all the requested records.

"Although this problem has caused us concern, our incredible executive board, both present and past, has been marvelous to pitch in and help out with our many needs during this time," Gifford said. "We want to assure all of our supporters that we take very seriously the careful stewardship of the money they have invested in our organization and we will continue to monitor all of our finances with diligence."

Rutherford appeared in court Monday before Associate Circuit Judge Gary A. Kamp and waived her initial arraignment. She posted her $5,000 bond Saturday and is set to appear in court again April 5 for a counsel status hearing.

ehevern@semissourian.com

388-3635

Pertinent addresses:

294 Siemers Drive, Cape Girardeau, MO

32 N. Main St., Cape Girardeau, MO