TEXARKANA - Lafayette County Treasurer Keesha Rose was back in federal court this week to address conditions of her pretrial release in a case involving allegations that she embezzled more than $160,000 in tax funds.
Wednesday morning’s hearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Barry Bryant addressed the conditions of Rose’s pretrial release on a $5,000 unsecured bond.
Rose’s lawyer, Jeff Harrelson of Texarkana, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Ross told Bryant they’ve reached an agreeable arrangement regarding Rose’s access to the Lafayette County Courthouse.
Rose cannot enter the collector’s office during the next two weeks except to gather personal belongings, such as photos. Rose is permitted to enter the treasurer’s office to help bring other staff members “up to speed” over the next two weeks.
After April 30, however, Rose can only “perform her duties” via telephone or the Internet, Harrelson said. She cannot enter the courthouse until her case is concluded.
Ross said Rose will not be allowed to make deposits for the county on behalf of the collector’s office. Ross said the county judge has agreed that deposits for the collector’s office will be made at least every other day until Rose’s ban from the courthouse takes effect. Copies of deposit receipts will be handed over to state auditors.
Allegations of theft arose after the Joint Division of Legislative Audit pointed out that $162,274.85 was not deposited in the tax collector’s bank account from Jan. 1, 2011, to Sept. 20, 2012. The division’s June 2013 audit report questioned accounting procedures and purchases in the collector’s and sheriff’s offices.
“In numerous instances, the treasurer and tax collector [Keesha Rose] was involved in the purchasing process for the sheriff’s office where her husband served as sheriff. This involvement includes making purchases, being reimbursed for expenditures and signing the sheriff’s name for claim authorization/ approval,” the audit states.
Puzzling accounting and purchases noted by auditors include payments with county funds for a pair of ostrich-skin boots, shoes and jeans for the sheriff ’s office bookkeeper, and payments to various businesses and individuals for which adequate documentation wasn’t provided.
Keesha Rose is the wife of Lafayette County Sheriff Victor Rose.
A federal grand jury indicted Keesha Rose on two counts of theft from a program receiving federal funds last month. Keesha Rose has pleaded innocent to the charges.
Arkansas, Pages 17 on 04/19/2014