[Vision2020] Thousands Embezzled by Renaissance Fair Treasurer

[Tom Hansen]

Courtesy of today's (November 2, 2011) Moscow-Pullman Daily News.

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Thousands embezzled by Renaissance Fair treasurer
By Brandon Macz, Daily News staff writer
Following a grand theft conviction of its treasurer early last month, the Moscow Renaissance Fair board has made improvements to its financial recording and reporting practices.
Jessica L. Shepherd, 35, embezzled more than $7,000 from the organization in the past two years while serving as treasurer, initially to avoid eviction, according to court records, but continued withdrawing money from the fair's bank account to cover bills and feed her methamphetamine addiction. She also admitted to occasionally taking loose cash during the fair.
Shepherd's husband, Bradley S. Shepherd, 45, was charged Oct. 24 with principal to grand theft for allegedly encouraging her to take the money, also to feed his drug habit, according to a probable cause affidavit in Latah County 2nd District Court. He will appear in court 9 a.m. Monday.
Bradley Shepherd brought the illegal transactions to the attention of board member Arlene Falcon in May, documents state, and denied his involvement to police initially, though he later said if he had done so, it was at the insistence of his wife. She told investigators the exact opposite story.
Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson said he could not comment as to how Jessica Shepherd's admittance of guilt would affect the prosecution's case against her husband, but said he believes the probable cause affidavit "outlines the quality and quantity of the proof the state has."
Fair board member Kurt Obermayr said part of the reason the incident went unnoticed for so long was because the transactions were small, but added up over time. After the allegations surfaced, an audit was conducted and the results were submitted to the police for its investigation.
"It's kind of an assumption that you can trust everyone involved," said Obermayr of members of a volunteer organization. "It turns out apparently you cannot."
He said tracking financial records and transactions has been improved, including requiring double signatures on checks and monitoring cash at the fair.
There will be enough funds to continue with next year's 39th annual Moscow Renaissance Fair, he added.
Falcon's daughter, Willow Falcon, has taken on the duty of treasurer, which is a voluntary, unpaid position.
Under a plea agreement entered Oct. 3 before Judge John R. Stegner, Jessica Shepherd must pay back $7,387 to the organization at an interest rate of 5.25 percent. She also had to serve 21 days in jail and is now in drug court.
She faces a felony sentence if she does not successfully complete the outpatient treatment program, which can take as long as several years, said Thompson.
He said because her crime was driven by her addiction, drug court evaluators felt she would be a good candidate for the program, which he added is much more intense than typical felony probation.
Obermayr said the fair board has not taken an official stance on Jessica Shepherd's drug addiction that led to her embezzling funds.
"Everybody has their individual take on it," he said. "In general, we're quite happy with the way the prosecuting attorneys handled it."
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Seeya round town, Moscow.

Tom Hansen
Moscow, Idaho

"Honest and true,
As the morning star.
Vote for just two,
Ament and Lamar."

 
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