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Ex-city employee charged

By Joshua Roberts - | Dec 4, 2002

A former Basehor city employee has been charged in Leavenworth County District Court with stealing money from the city.

Jennifer Srubas-Willis, 27, Tonganoxie, a former assistant clerk at Basehor City Hall, is charged with felony theft and misuse of public funds.

The charges allege Srubas-Willis stole more than $500. One of her duties for the city included the handling of utility bill payments.

“Over $500 makes both charges felonies,” said Deborah Owen, Leavenworth County victim-witness coordinator.

An exact figure of how much Srubas-Willis allegedly took has not yet been determined. However, the amount could be as high as $8,000, Basehor City Attorney John Thompson said.

Auditors were to review city financial records this week and part of their work will be to determine the amount of money that is missing, Thompson said.

Srubas-Willis was arrested Nov. 19 at her home in the 22000 block of Leavenworth Road in Tonganoxie.

She is free on $5,000 bond.

A preliminary hearing has been set for 1 p.m. Dec. 18.

How the money was allegedly taken has not been revealed.

“That information is probably not going to be released by the county attorney at this point in case it goes to trial,” Thompson said.

Basehor Mayor Joseph Scherer would not comment on the charges against Srubas-Willis.

However, Thompson said Scherer has made his feelings clear.

“The mayor has indicated to have her prosecuted as vigorously as possible,” Thompson said.

Srubas-Willis, a 1992 graduate of Basehor-Linwood High School, was hired as the assistant clerk in June 2001. Her employment was terminated in July 2002.

An official reason for her dismissal was never given by the city.

Basehor Police Chief Vince Weston said the mayor and City Council asked the police department to conduct an investigation into missing funds in September.

The investigation concluded Nov. 19 and “sufficient evidence was provided to the county attorney and a warrant was issued,” Weston said.

“There’s no indication that any other individuals were involved,” he said.