FARGO - A woman who counted cash for the Fargo Youth Commission's charitable blackjack and pull-tab operations is accused of embezzling up to $59,000, court records say.
Abbey L. McNamee was charged in Cass County District Court on Wednesday with a Class B felony count of theft of property.
A police report included with court records claims an investigation prompted by the gaming office of the city auditor found about $59,000 missing from Youth Commission coffers.
Police allege that McNamee, 28, admitted to stealing money collected from dealers' drop boxes, telling a detective she believed she had taken about $40,000.
The Youth Commission runs programs for elementary students, including a variety of before- and after- school programs.
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"It used to be known as latch-key programs," said Rob Kueneman, executive director of the commission.
In an email sent to parents Thursday, Kueneman said McNamee had worked solely for the group's fundraising gaming sites and didn't have contact with children or access to program or parent accounts.
Kueneman said the loss of nearly $60,000 in funds won't affect any programming. The nonprofit has an annual budget of about $1.8 million, he said.
The commission will try to recoup its loss through an insurance policy, and if there's a conviction, via court-ordered restitution, Kueneman said.
McNamee hails from Williston, N.D., according to court records. She hasn't appeared in court yet. No listed phone number for her could be found.
Court records allege the thefts occurred from Feb. 6, 2009, through April 4. In addition to city auditors, the investigation was aided by the office of the North Dakota Attorney General, Kueneman said.
Like the gambling itself, money-counting done each night at the commission's three gaming sites - Mr. G's, Borrowed Bucks and Slammer's Sports Bar - is recorded on video, Kueneman said. Police viewed the security videos before the charges were filed, he said.
"It was smaller amounts over a longer period of time," he said of the thefts.
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One of the possible state witnesses listed by prosecutors is Amanda McNamee, Abbey's sister and a detective for the Williams County Sheriff's Department in Williston.
Though he wouldn't say what her testimony could entail, the assistant Cass County state's attorney prosecuting the case, Tristan Van de Streek, said McNamee's sister was not assigned to investigate her.
Amanda McNamee's testimony would cover more "passive" information, Van de Streek said.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Dave Roepke at (701) 241-5535
