Former director of organization for sexual violence victims accused of stealing $34K

The former executive director of an organization that helps victims of sexual violence is accused of stealing more than $34,000 from the institution over two years.

Former Beacon Health Center executive director Kimberly Dawn Williams, 49, of Cape Girardeau is accused of a Class B felony. The minimum sentence for such a crime is five years in prison with a maximum sentence of 15. Williams was issued a criminal summons Monday to appear in court at 1 p.m. April 4.

Cape Girardeau Police began an investigation Nov. 10 when they received a report Williams had used several Beacon Health credit cards for personal purchases at stores and was writing checks to cash, according to the probable-cause statement from detective Jeff Lucas.

Beacon Health board president Tina Weber said in an interview with the Southeast Missourian that Williams was fired in September before the police investigation began. Williams’ compensation was listed as $60,000 a year in the 990 form in 2014 for the organization.

Williams made 93 fraudulent charges on a Sam’s Club card from November 2013 through May 2015, totaling $14,030, according to the statement. An office manager for Beacon Health went through receipts to determine which transactions were fraudulent, including clothing and various food items, Lucas wrote.

There were $7,855 worth of purchases on a Commerce Bank Card from October 2013 through July 2015 at various locations, including Wal-Mart and Coad Chevrolet, according to the statement. Items purchased included toys, books, clothing and home decorations, Lucas wrote.

The Beacon Health checking account also was used by Williams, according to the statement. Between July 17, 2015, and Aug. 25, 2015, there were nine checks written to cash for $3,875, Lucas wrote. The total amount of petty cash stolen or misused was about $12,357, the report said.

In total, Beacon Health Center is reporting about $51,000 fraudulently used or stolen, according to the statement.

Of that, $34,243 can be traced to Williams through receipts obtained from local businesses and missing petty cash, Lucas wrote.

Weber said the remaining $16,757 likely was stolen by Williams.

Williams admitted to Cape Girardeau police chief Wes Blair, a member of the Beacon board of directors, she took money from petty cash, using it in part to pay her phone bill, according to the statement.

She also told Blair she used a Beacon Health credit card for personal purchases, Lucas wrote.

She later told Lucas she used petty cash and credit cards to make personal purchases.

The board was aware Williams was misusing company credit cards and bank accounts and gradually learned of the scope of the thefts as their investigation continued.

Weber said the company’s office manager has taken over many of the responsibilities of the executive director, and there have been new safeguards put in place — in particular, the board is required to approve purchases — to ensure this type of theft cannot occur again.

Beacon Health Center originally was founded as the Southeast Missouri Network Against Sexual Violence.

The not-for-profit organization provides case management, advocacy and counseling services for victims of sexual violence, including conducting forensic interviews for children and adult victims.

Beacon Health is the only organization in a nine-county area that provides these services for victims of sexual crimes.

Weber said the financial effect of the theft has affected support for employees performing these services.

“It’s been a big financial hit, and we’ve had to make adjustments,” Weber said. “We’ve had to cut back, and we’ve had to let people go.”

bkleine@semissourian.com

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Pertinent address:

73 Sheridan Drive, Cape Girardeau, Mo.