January 25, 2018
By Paragon News Director Paul Joseph –
One-half of a Custer County couple has pleaded guilty to embezzlement and been sentenced for his part in a crime of missing money.
His estranged wife, alleged to be an accomplice, is due in court next month to answer to a similar charge.
42-year-old Neil Ray McLemore pled guilty earlier this month to one count of embezzlement after former felony conviction and was sentenced to 15-years in prison with all but six years suspended. He was also fined and ordered to pay restitution.
McLemore’s wife, 40-year-old Jaime Dee McLemore is also charged with one count of embezzlement.
According to the probable cause affidavit, the McLemore’s were class parents for the Arapaho-Butler Class of 2016 and were in charge of running the concession stands at the Arapaho-Butler school events.
Between August 2014 and November 2015, approximately fifteen deposits were made into the account totaling approximately $23-thousand-and-72 dollars. Expenditures totaled approximately $23-thousand-and-63 dollars. The Class of 2016 profited a grand total of $9-dollars, according to the court document.
The profits of the concession stands were to pay for the senior trip for four students of the Class of 2016 and none of the students were responsible for handling any money.
In an earlier interview, Jaime McLemore allegedly told investigators that she used a debit card for the account to make purchases for personal use and to make purchases for the Class of 2016. She added that she and her husband used the money to make personal purchases and to buy gifts for family members, making several online purchases for women’s clothing. Jaime blamed Neil for the majority of the missing money.
In another interview, Neil allegedly admitted that it was both he and Jaime’s idea to use the money raised by the Class of 2016 to make personal purchases and to pay bills.
Neil blamed Jaime for the majority of the money missing.
He and Jaime estimated that the Class of 2016 profited, conservatively, $20-thousand to $30-thousand dollars.
Neil McLemore pled guilty in January of 2016 to domestic assault and battery in the presence of a minor and to obtaining cash or merchandise by bogus check and in 2013, to possession of a controlled dangerous substance as well as to domestic abuse – assault and battery.
Jaime McLemore is free on a $10-thousand dollar bond, but due in Custer County District Court on February 22 at 9:30 for a preliminary hearing.
None of the monies raised or stolen belonged to the Arapaho-Butler School District.
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