By Paul Garrod
Staff Writer
news4garrod@gmail.com
LAWTON – A Lawton woman, a former employee of Lawton Community School, was arraigned Oct. 24, in 7th District Court, Paw Paw, on a charge of embezzlement over $50,000, but less than $100,000, according to a press release from the Lawton Police Department.
Lawton Police Chief Greg Cordes said Andrea Rice-Keister worked in the administrative office as a bookkeeper/clerk and worked with money. On Sept. 22, it was reported that Lawton Community Schools had discovered an employee responsible for embezzling money from the school.
Following an investigation by school staff and Lawton Police Department, the case was submitted to the Van Buren County Prosecutor’s Office on Oct. 20. The Prosecutor’s Office authorized the charge of embezzlement over $50,000 but less than $100,000, a 15-year felony.
Lawton Police Department is asking if the public has any information about this investigation, or any others. They are encouraged to contact Police Chief Cordes at the Lawton Police Department at (269) 624-2382.
