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MEDIA RELEASE
February 16, 2005[2:45 p.m.]
EPSO DETECTIVES ANNOUNCE ARREST IN MONUMENT EMBEZZLEMENT CASE
Today, El Paso County Sheriff’s detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Patricia Unger, a 55 year old Monument, Colorado resident. The warrant was based upon the results of a two month investigation into her alleged embezzlement of funds from the Forest View Acres Water District. Investigation has revealed that Ms. Unger committed at least 204 incidents of forgery, resulting in the theft of over $212,000 in funds. Forest View Acres Water District is a public utility serving over 280 homeowners east of the Monument community. A forensic audit is currently being conducted and is anticipated to reveal additional forgeries and thefts.
The investigation was first brought to the attention of the Sheriff’s Office when Water District board members noted discrepancies in Unger’s bookkeeping records. Water District representatives provided numerous boxes of receipts and records to the Sheriff’s Office. Detectives executed a number of search warrants on her home and bank accounts. Detectives have also been working in close cooperation with corporate bank personnel attempting to track funds and determine additional forgeries.
Unger turned herself in upon being advised of the arrest warrant today.
Unger was incarcerated on felony charges of Theft, Forgery, and Embezzlement of Public Funds and was booked into the El Paso County Criminal Justice Center pending a $50,000 bond.
A photograph of Ms. Unger is attached to this release
