Okemah embezzlement

OKEMAH, Okla. (AP) -- A former Okemah utility billing clerk accused of stealing more than $177,000 from the city and its utility customers has been charged with 33 felony counts.<br><br>An arrest warrant

Friday, October 24th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

OKEMAH, Okla. (AP) -- A former Okemah utility billing clerk accused of stealing more than $177,000 from the city and its utility customers has been charged with 33 felony counts.

An arrest warrant was issued Thursday for Rhonda Jones, 54, of Okemah, said Assistant District Attorney Glen Hickerson.

City officials say an internal audit conducted earlier this year by a private firm revealed the problem.

Jones faces 22 charges of embezzlement and 11 charges of obtaining money by false pretenses.

She is accused of zeroing computer utility bills and issuing manually typed bills for the same amount, then pocketing the money. She also is accused of crediting bills and taking that money.

The alleged illegal activities happened from Sept. 30, 1999, to July 28, 2003, officials said.