Trial Delayed In $1.43 Million Sheriff’s Office Theft Case

July 7, 2010

A delay has been granted in the trial of a former Escambia County Sheriff’s Office employee accused of stealing $1.43 million from the department.

listercathy.jpg Jury selection was to begin Tuesday in the trial of Cathy Lister, 58, a former accountant  that allegedly stole the funds over a long career with the Sheriff’s Office. Circuit Judge Paul Rasmussen delayed jury selection until July 19 following arguments from Lister’s attorney that he did not have adequate time to review evidence and other documents.

Lister  is facing 11 money laundering charges and one aggravated white collar crime charge. She had been free on $25,000 bond, but her bond was increased to $128,500 in April. She remains in the Escambia County Jail.

Lister was first charged in February with stealing $130,000 from the sheriff’s office, but further investigation determined that well over $1 million more was missing. The money was taken over a 10 year period from monies seized as part of investigations that was placed in the department’s Evidence Trust Fund.

Court testimony has revealed that some of the money was deposited into account belonging to Lister and some of her family members. Investigators do not know where the rest of the money went.

Lister was a 32-year employee of the department who retired from the finance division just six days before her arrest.

Comments

One Response to “Trial Delayed In $1.43 Million Sheriff’s Office Theft Case”

  1. Donna Lambeth on July 7th, 2010 9:35 pm

    Don’t judge this lady until the facts are known. There are so many other people who may have had access to the money. It’s sad that this lady may have to take the rap for what other people may or may not have done. If she did take it, so be it! I just pray that she not have to take the rap for something that she may not have done.