Accused of misusing a debit card, a former elementary school secretary is facing three felony charges, according to recently unsealed indictments.
Helen Cregger Vaughan, 60, of Austinville was arrested on Oct. 20 and charged with felony embezzlement, credit card fraud and obtaining money by false pretenses.
A Wythe County grand jury returned the direct indictments on Oct. 16.
According to the Wythe County Sheriff’s Office, Wythe County Public Schools administration contacted police in July after an audit showed some bookkeeping discrepancies at Max Meadows Elementary School.
“The Wythe County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division found that a majority of the questionable transactions occurred by someone using a debit card,” Chief Deputy Anthony Cline wrote in an email. “We found that this debit card was assigned to Helen Vaughan who was also the bookkeeper at Max Meadows Elementary.”
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Cline said $6,008.50 was reported missing. The timeframe in the indictments was July 18, 2022, to July 17.
Now retired, Vaughan has no criminal record, according to court documents.
“Officer states arrestee turned herself in and has been cooperative with investigations,” a magistrate wrote.
Free on a $10,000 bond, Vaughan will stand trial in Wythe County Circuit Court.