Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, March 16, 1990 TAG: 9003162910
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-1 EDITION: EVENING
SOURCE: MONICA DAVEY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BEDFORD LENGTH: Medium
Shari F. Mullins, 26, of 2645 Westover Ave. in Roanoke, was arrested at 10:30 a.m. today and charged with one count of embezzling funds in excess of $200, said Bedford City Police Chief Fred Russell.
"Our investigation has revealed that over a two-year period, funds in excess of $8,000 are unaccounted for," Russell said. He said the police investigation would continue.
Russell said his investigators had no other suspects in connection with the missing money.
Russell said Mullins was "fully cooperative" during her arrest. No bond information was available, but Mullins was expected to appear before a magistrate later today.
City and state police began their investigation late last week after Bedford Main Street officials discovered money was missing during a routine examination of finances.
Main Street president Sara Oliver said a police investigation was needed to protect the organization's "good name" and to confirm to the public that proper steps were taken.
Oliver's board of directors has also set up a committee to gather the organization's financial records for an independent audit of its records.
The group, started in 1985 as one of the state's first five cities and towns included in Virginia's Main Street program, has a annual budget of about $65,000. Of that, the city of Bedford provides $25,000 and the rest comes from donations.
Bedford Main Street has worked to fix up the appearance of the downtown area with signs and old-fashioned lamps. The group has often been credited with bringing new businesses and jobs to the area, and has been praised as one of the state's best Main Street programs.
The National Main Street Program began in the late 70s as a division of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
by CNB