FYI:
The information below (from the Navy PTO Meeting Minutes) was extracted from the following web site:
http://navypto.org/
Please note that the police officer clearly states that Litsa has no prior arrest record, even though people on this forum have stated that they believe she embezzled money from an association in Washington D.C. about 15 years ago. And because she has no previous record, she will probably get a light sentence with little or no jail time (this is based on his 30-years of experience). I am posting this for no other reason then to help temper people's expectations.
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NAVY PTO MEETING MINUTES - SEPTEMBER 5, 2007
"Melissa then introduced Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD), Financial Investigator, Tom Polhemus to provide the status of the alleged embezzlement of PTA/PTO funds. He is a 30 year veteran of FCPD. Mrs. Mattfeld was arrested on August 30th on two (2) counts and was released on her own recognizance. She has no previous arrests. He also stated that they believe she is the only person involved. The preliminary hearing is scheduled on October 20th. Then depending upon her position on the waving of her rights, the case proceeds to the Grand Jury and then to Circuit Court. Investigator Polhemus explained that 99% of similar cases never get to Circuit Court because a plea bargain is made before the Court date.
Investigator Polhemus responded to a variety of questions, several of major questions:
1.) $180,000 and chances of restitution – the $180,000 is a very conservative number and probably small chance of any major restitution. There was considerable discussion on the unfairness of complete restitution, taking funding from children, how it happened, etc.
2.) Sentencing – with no previous record should expect light sentence to include community service, probably little no jail time. This is based upon his experience.
3.) What can PTO do now? – prepare a letter for the judge at sentencing which would probably be around December, 2007. Melissa offered that the Board would draft a copy of a letter and provide the members with an opportunity to make comments and suggestions.
4.) What would be the possibility of a civil lawsuit? – Investigator Polhemus answered that a civil case could be brought, but if restitution is not probable in the criminal case it would follow that it would also hold true in a civil case.
Mr. Polhemus had heard our earlier discussions on financial controls and stated that with these controls in place, an event such as this would not happen."
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