Oran woman denies charges of stealing from Scott City animal clinic

An Oran woman is accused of stealing more than $17,000 from a Scott City animal clinic.

Sandy M. Walter, 49, is charged with felony stealing of at least $500. She was issued a criminal summons Monday to appear before Circuit Judge Scott Horman at 9 a.m. April 12.

Walter worked as the office manager at the Animal Emergency Center in Scott City, according to a probable-cause statement filed by Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper J.D. Patton.

The owner of the clinic, Dr. Stephen A. Williams, asked for an investigation because thousands of dollars were missing from the clinic, according to the statement. Troopers found Walter was deleting cash tickets from customers and taking the money, Patton wrote.

An independent accountant determined 47 deposit records and client invoices were altered, and $17,859 of the total of $18,821 from those tickets was not deposited, according to the statement.

Walter was on duty for 43 of 47 changes, and the remaining changes occurred when the office was closed, Patton wrote.

An office secretary confirmed the cash tickets were deleted under Walter’s password, Patton wrote.

Troopers interviewed Walter, and she denied being involved with stealing money from the clinic, although she admitted she was responsible for its deposits and money transactions. She said several people in the office had her password, according to the report.

bkleine@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3644

Pertinent address:

3257 E. Outer Road, Scott City, Mo.