Over $45K given to fraudulent account, according to Boone County’s website

UPDATE 2/1: A spokesperson for the Boone County Sheriff’s Department confirmed on Thursday that officers were investigating a fraud out of the treasurer’s office.

Deputies would not release further details about the investigation but did say it was ongoing.

ORIGINAL STORY: In December, the Boone County government sent $46,232 to what was believed to be an account belonging to a construction company, but later realized it was fraudulent.

The county government “received correspondence” from what they believed was the local construction company Emery Sapp & Sons to “update their banking information” on October 31, 2017.

On Dec. 7, the county government send the payment to the construction company. Eight days later the county “became aware that the payment was sent to a fraudulent account.”

The county does not expect to get the money back, according to county government documents. It will be recorded as a loss in fiscal year 2017.

The same amount of money was transferred from the county’s “Emergency & Contingency” fund to the “Non-Departmental” fund to cover the loss.

The fraudulent payment is currently being investigated by law enforcement as a criminal case.

To access the documents referenced, click here.