Woman charged with embezzling from Highland Park water association

Woman charged with embezzling from Highland Park water association

Missing $ 3,000 leads to arrest

news@theeveningtimes.com

The Crittenden County Sheriff’s Department reported an arrest in the case of the Highland Park community water association fund embezzlement. The city of Marion supplies water to the community of 100 mostly mobile homes located in an unicorporated area between the Marion Sports Complex and Interstate 55 south of the junior high school. Residential water use is then billed to households and a few businesses in the subdivision under the authority of the neighborhood association.

$3,000 turned up missing at the association and was reported to the Sheriff.

Nellie Christine Dedman, age 66, was arrested Friday July 14 for theft of property lost, mislaid, delivered by mistake. She was president of the water association.

“She is accused of taking money from the account for personal use,” said Sheriff Mike Allen “She is charged with theft, embezzlement.”

Chief Investigator Todd Grooms said the investigation was short and sweet, ending in a quick confession.

“She confessed to stealing the money,” said Grooms.

“She took it out to pay personal bills and she admitted to knowing she did not have approval to do it, but did it anyway.”

According to the Sheriff Dedman is out on bond awaiting a future date in circuit court.

By John Rech