Former University of Missouri employee sentenced for embezzling $781,000

A former University of Missouri employee was sentenced in federal court today for embezzling more than $781,000 from the school over a 13-year period.

U.S. District Judge Doug Harpool sentenced Rathmann to four years in federal prison and ordered her to pay restitution of the full $781,000.

Carla Rathmann of Mount Vernon entered a guilty plea back in June to mail fraud and credit card fraud. Rathmann admitted she embezzled the money 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.