Wentzville woman embezzled $49K from job, $9K on credit card: Police

ST. CHARLES COUNTY, Mo. – A woman has been charged after authorities with the O’Fallon Missouri Police Department accused her of stealing nearly $50,000 from her employer along with an additional $9,000 on a victim’s credit card.

Between 2019 and 2022, Lynn Whitehead (age not specified) of Wentzville, Missouri, took advantage of her job role as a payroll specialist to grant herself more money than earned. Additionally, she committed fraud with the owner’s credit card for her personal use, according to the probable cause statement.

Court records state Whitehead changed documents to pay herself for 136 hours of vacation time and bereavement time, although she was working those days. She also edited her hourly pay rate 28 times without receiving approval.

If she had worked over 80 hours within the two-week pay period, Whitehead was eligible for overtime or salary coefficient, but not both. When she did reach the 80-hour mark, Whitehead modified her payroll to get money for the two.

With the victim’s credit card, Whitehead purchased food and alcohol at Dierbergs for her own personal use. She was able to disguise the purchases through petty checks or code them under the wrong account, court records stated. The receipts from Dierbergs listed Whitehead’s rewards account. It was noted that in orders from Staples, which were meant for purchasing items for the victim, she also seized the opportunity and bought several unauthorized items.

Whitehead admitted to stealing 40 hours of vacation time, noting it was treated like a bonus, but claimed innocence for extra overtime and additional vacation pay in an interview. She also stated that the items bought from Dierbergs were given to the victim.

Overall, Whitehead is accused of stealing $49,751.62 in payroll and $9,196.85 through the victim’s credit card. She is charged with two counts of stealing $750 or more and one count of fraudulent use of a credit device.

A hearing is scheduled for Oct. 25.

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