Up to $500,000 of city money may be missing from Springfield

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Springfield officials say up to $500,000 in city money may be missing and two municipal court employees are being investigated in the disappearance.

Evelyn Honea, assistant city manager, said the $500,000 figure is only a preliminary estimation of money embezzled from funds collected by the court over a 2 1/2-year period.

"We're nowhere near finalizing what that includes," Honea said Friday.

City budget summaries show the city collects about $2 million to $2.7 million a year in fines, forfeitures and court costs.

The two employees, whose names have not been released, were put on paid leave Thursday.

Greene County prosecutor Darrell Moore said no potential suspects have been arrested or charged.

"When you talk about embezzlement, we'll want someone to audit books and financial reports," Moore said, adding it could take months to gather enough evidence to file charges.

The city plans to hire a forensic auditor to investigate the municipal court's financial records. The city's police, finance and human resources departments are taking part in the investigation.

City employees who handle money are extensively screened, undergoing a drug test, a reference check, a criminal background check, a credit report and a Social Security trace, Springfield Human Resources Director Sheila Maerz said.

Honea said each city department has its own internal controls for handling money. The city's finance department also conducts a monthly audit, comparing each department's report with bank statements.

The city also conducts a departmentwide audit every year. When asked why these audits did not detect 2 1/2 years of missing funds, Honea said, "That's what we're trying to investigate."