Cops: Judge and wife stole court fines
Audit found more than $21,000 was missing
Updated: Wednesday, 14 Oct 2009, 6:22 PM EDT
Published : Wednesday, 14 Oct 2009, 10:50 AM EDT
KNOX COUNTY, Ind. (WTHI) - A Bicknell judge was arrested Wednesday for allegedly stealing money from the court.
Indiana State Police arrested Bicknell City Judge Andrew Moreland, 45, and his wife, Cindy Moreland, 38, when the couple turned themselves in Wednesday.
Investigators from the Indiana State Board of Accounts conducted an audit after it was reported that money was missing from the court's account. Authorities said roughly $21,000 worth of traffic ticket and other fines were allegedly stolen from the Bicknell City Court.
"The whole legitimacy of the legal system is in question. If somebody goes in a pays their ticket and thinks they've resolved their traffic case, I think they should have some expectancy that that's going to track," Knox County Prosecutor John Sievers said.
The couple is facing five counts of theft each, which is a class D felony.
The Indiana Supreme Court has ordered that the judge be suspended. Andrew Moreland started his term Jan. 1, 2008.
The couple was released from jail after posting bond. No court dates have been set.
Ground rules for posting comments: No profanity or personal attacks. Please keep comments focused on the subject of the story. Posts that violate the rules will be removed. Keep it civil.
Email This
Print This
View Story on a Single Page