Attorney General's News Release

April 21, 2006

Former clerk in Pulaski County public administrator's office pleads guilty to 28 counts of felony stealing; will pay $50,000 in restitution, costs

Jefferson City, Mo. — Cathi M. Leuthen, a clerk formerly employed in the Pulaski County public administrator's office, today pleaded guilty to 28 counts of felony stealing of more than $44,000 from private checking accounts managed by the office. The court sentenced Leuthen (DOB-5/15/78), of Crocker, to five years on each count to run concurrently. The court suspended the sentence and placed her on five years probation. The court also ordered her to pay $50,000 for restitution to her victims and for costs of the investigation.

Attorney General Jay Nixon filed the charges against Leuthen in April 2004 after being appointed special prosecutor in the case.

The public administrator discovered that checks were illegally written on several accounts between January and October 2003. Leuthen admitted to using the checks to pay her personal bills, or to pay her boyfriend, or deposited them in his checking account. She would then transfer money between accounts to cover the theft. The convictions cover checks totaling $44,903.48.

Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

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