GREENVILLE -- A former Greenville city clerk is accused of overpaying herself nearly $80,000 and misappropriating other city funds between 2014 and 2016.
Pamela S. Birmingham, 50, of Silva turned herself in Wednesday at the Wayne County Sheriff's Department on felony charges of receiving stolen property, more than $25,000, and forgery, more than $70,000. She was released the same day on bond. An arraignment is scheduled for Aug. 9.
A probable cause statement filed at the Wayne County Courthouse says during three years of employment, Birmingham wrote herself several checks without proper authorization, out of various bank accounts owned and controlled by the city.
"The audit conducted by the state auditor's office identified at least $150,772 in improper payments and undeposited monies," said David Southard, an investigator with the Missouri Attorney General's Office.
Birmingham allegedly overpaid herself $78,788.54.
She is also accused of unlawfully paying herself uniform allowances, and of failing to deposit at least $42,625 in cash receipts which she received.
An audit conducted by the state auditor's office shows Birmingham falsified disbursement listings presented to the city board at monthly meeting in an attempt to conceal 75 improper disbursements totaling $25,335, Southard said.
"Three of the improper checks -- numbered 3409, 3110 and 3011 -- were included as voided checks on disbursement listings, however, they were written and negotiated by Birmingham," Southard explained. "The audit, using city records, discovered that Check 3409 was logged as 'VOID' on September 4, 2015, but actually written and negotiated by Birmingham on September 1, 2015."
The state auditor's office said last week a complete audit document will be released at a later date.
Aldermen passed an ordinance March 8 formally requesting and authorizing an audit by the state auditor.
This came after the city had an audit conducted by certified public accountant Bill Pippin, which included a review of banking records from People's Community Bank and Birmingham's W-2 forms.
A message left Friday for Birmingham's attorney was not returned.