FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWS RELEASE
February 25, 2011
For More Information, contact:
Luther Strange
Joy Patterson (334) 242-7491
Alabama Attorney General
Suzanne Webb (334) 242-7351
Page 1 of 1
AG STRANGE ANNOUNCES CONVICTION OF FORMER OZARK
SCHOOL FINANCIAL OFFICER FOR FELONY ETHICS
VIOLATIONS
COMMENDS PUBLIC CORRUPTION AND WHITE COLLAR CRIME DIVISION
(MONTGOMERY) – Attorney General Luther Strange announced the conviction
of a former chief financial officer for the Ozark City Board of Education on two felony
counts involving public funds. Monica Baker Foote, 53, of Ozark, pleaded guilty on
February 22 in the Dale County Circuit Court.
Foot pleaded guilty to one count of intentionally using her official position for
unlawful personal gain of money or checks and one count of first-degree theft of
property from the Ozark City School Board in money or checks valued at more than
$2,500. Both offenses are Class B felonies and carry a range of two to 20 years
incarceration and fines up to $30,000 for each count. The Attorney General’s Office is
requesting that Foote be ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $102,170.
Sentencing will be at a later date.
The Attorney General’s office presented evidence to a Dale County grand jury on
January 7, resulting in Foote’s indictment and subsequently in this conviction.
School board officials became concerned because of the appearance of numerous
school board checks made payable to Foote. The Examiners of Public Accounts
conducted a consequent audit of the Ozark City Board of Education. From the audit,
examiners concluded Foote had embezzled approximately $97,000 from the school
board and an additional $5,364.81 in false travel claims from the State of Alabama.
Evidence indicated that Foote, a public employee, was issuing checks from official
funds to herself and then depositing those funds into her personal bank account. Some
checks were issued and “voided” in the Board’s internal records but nonetheless
presented to the bank for deposit.
Attorney General Strange commended Assistant Attorneys General Ben Baxley,
Pete Smyczek and Stephanie Billingslea of his Public Corruption and White Collar
Crimes Division, as well as the Attorney General’s Investigations Division. He also
thanked Lynn Otto of the Examiners of Public Accounts for assistance.
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501 Washington Avenue Montgomery, AL 36130 (334) 242-7300
www.ago.state.al.us
