Former Auditor to Do Time For Theft
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowA former Owen County auditor has been convicted of five counts of theft for crimes involving nearly $310,000. Angela Lawson has been sentenced to 20 months in federal prison.
The Office of U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana Josh Minkler says Lawson used credit cards issued to buyers authorized by the county to illegally purchase food, alcohol, gift cards, toys, jewelry and vacations.
Minkler says "the citizens of Owen County deserve elected officials whom they can trust to be fiscally responsible and to do the right thing. When that trust is betrayed, it shakes the foundation of our democracy and weakens the effectiveness of local government."
She was elected to serve as county auditor from 2005 and 2012. The crimes are said to have occurred between 2010 and 2014. The investigation involved the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Indiana State Police, Indiana State Board of Accounts and Robert Cline, a special prosecutor assigned to investigate.
Lawson has been ordered to repay over $300,000 in restitution.