Four Charged . . . Collector, Staff Facing Felony Stealing Charges County Forensic Audit Shows Cash Irregularities

Charges have been filed by Washington County Prosecutor Josh Hedgecorth on behalf of the County in conjunction with results of a forensic audit that was completed recently.

Daniel Jones & Associates completed the forensic audit on land tax sales for Washington County on May 24th, 2022.

The audit included records beginning at 2018. It has been reported that the audit shows more than $100,000 unaccounted for in the past four years.

For the year 2018, a balance of $13,220.00; for the year 2019, a balance of $10,185.00; for the year 2020, a balance of $44,408.00 and for the year 2021, a balance of $39,268.00; for a total of $107,081.00 of unaccounted funds.

Charges were filed Wednesday, June 22nd, 2022 against Washington County Collector Carla Zettler, office employee Laura Laramore, former County Trustee Hanna Zettler and former employee Leslie (Harrelson) Harmon.

Charges include Carla Zettler with three counts of felony stealing, a count of felony forgery and a misdemeanor count of official misconduct.

Office employee Laura Laramore is charged with a count of felony stealing and a misdemeanor count of official misconduct.

Former Trustee Hanna Zettler is charged with a count of felony stealing and a misdemeanor count of official misconduct.

Former employee Leslie (Harrelson) Harmon is charged with a count of felony stealing.

The cash irregularities were found when local resident Linda East requested records on land tax sales in September of 2021. Mrs. East requested the records under the Sunshine Law, and received documentation that she further questioned.

Sheriff Zach Jacobsen requested the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control from Troop C conduct a theft investigation on Oct. 5th, 2021.

The investigation found the cash irregularities and have brought the current charges by the County.

Court documents show initial court appearances set for July 26th, 2022.

The above charges are mere accusation and not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of the charges must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.