Former University of Missouri employee admits to embezzling more than $700,000

A former employee at the University of Missouri has pleaded guilty in federal court to embezzling more than $700,000 from the school.

Carla Rathmann of Mount Vernon entered her plea Monday to mail fraud and credit card fraud. Rathmann admitted she embezzled $716,665 over a nine-year period, mostly by submitting fake invoices and bills to the university. Rathmann also illegally used a university credit card for nearly $150,000 in personal expenses.

Rathmann worked as an administrative officer at the Southwest Research Center in Mount Vernon. Her job included getting and paying bills, accounting duties, payroll, and staff organization. She was fired in September 2015 after her use of the university credit card for personal expenses was discovered. Those purchases included surgery for her dog, remodeling her home, dental expenses, propane for her home, gas for her car, and herbicide for her home.

Under federal law, Rathmann could get a sentence of up to 30 years in federal prison without parole.