Bookkeeper admits to embezzling money
Wednesday, February 20, 2008 11:05 AM PST
OREGON CITY (AP) — Prosecutors are seeking a 10-year prison term for a bookkeeper who embezzled $1.6 million from the Estacada Fire District.
Pamela Kay Rowley-Butcher, 59, who will be sentenced April 11, has agreed to sell her $200,000 home and cash out her retirement accounts, valued at $165,000, to pay back some of the money she began taking as far back as 1998.
‘‘This lady stole from everyone in our district,’’ Estacada city Councilwoman Kay Nelson said outside the courtroom after Rowley-Butcher pleaded guilty Tuesday.
‘‘They can say ‘restitution’ if they like, but that’s not going to undo what’s been done to the community.’’
Rowley-Butcher’s attorney, Pat Birmingham, declined to comment.
Clackamas County prosecutor Bryan Brock said Rowley-Butcher spent the $1.6 million on her family: ‘‘She had a pretty big extended family, dependent on her for automobiles, auto insurance, tuition, college room and board and medical bills.’’
Rowley-Butcher had largely unsupervised control over financial transactions during her two dozen years at the fire district.
Fire Chief Alan Hull, 55, said he now reviews each transaction, along with his executive assistant and two members of the district board. Board members also sign each check by hand.
