Tuesday, October 22, 2002
The defendant was released on a $5,000 bond.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- The lawyer for the former head cashier for the city's water department said his client is a victim in a case involving missing money.
Debra A. Dunewood of Valley S.W. entered an innocent plea to a theft-in-office charge Monday before Judge Peter Kontos of Trumbull County Common Pleas Court.
Dunewood was released on a $5,000 bond. She is scheduled to return to court at 9 a.m. next Tuesday.
Secret indictment
The Trumbull County grand jury secretly indicted Dunewood last week. After the indictment was issued, prosecutors notified her attorney, Gilbert Rucker, and made arrangements for Dunewood to appear in court.
The identity of those indicted secretly is not known until the person is served.
Dunewood declined to comment. Rucker, however, said his client is a "victim of the system."
"I believe when the evidence comes out this will be seen, and it will also show that other people were clearly involved," said Rucker, who declined to elaborate.
Dunewood was approved for a disability retirement from the city Feb. 13, 2000.
In June 2001, the state auditor's office issued a finding for recovery of $26,036 against her.
Deposits delayed
The audit further stated that Dunewood sometimes delayed depositing receipts, an indication that cash was not being deposited. That shows "a potential lapping scheme" to divert cash and delay deposits until "sufficient subsequent receipts are accumulated to cover the amount diverted," the audit says.
Richard Griffing, water office manager, was suspended without pay for a few days after being found guilty of gross neglect of duty, dishonesty and nonfeasance regarding the missing money.
He is responsible for overseeing collections and deposits of revenues.
The city determined Griffing did not enforce a water department policy between April 3 and May 1, 2000, that money is to be deposited within 24 hours of collection.
In April, Griffing and his brother, David, city auditor, were both charged with one misdemeanor count of dereliction of duty. The charges came after a yearlong investigation of the water department by the FBI and city police.
Last month, however, visiting Judge Thomas Campbell dismissed the charge against Richard Griffing. The judge ruled that Richard Griffing, as water manager, was not legally responsible for making sure money is promptly deposited.
The charge against David Griffing is pending, and his case is set to go to trial Thursday.
Special Prosecutor Robert Johnson stated in a court motion that it is David Griffing's duty to "supervise and watch the money."
Johnson also stated in the motion that employees of the auditor's office informed David Griffing about the late deposits at the water department, and that he did nothing to correct the problem.
Judge Campbell said he expects the trial to last about a day.
sinkovich@vindy.com