$300,000 missing from Callaway County
Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway announced $300,000 is missing from the Callaway County Collector’s Office from January 2016 to March 2018, and the former collector pleaded guilty in federal court to embezzling the funds.
Galloway was joined by county officials when she announced the audit findings during a press conference in the state auditor’s office at the capitol Monday afternoon.
Former collector, Pamela Oestreich, of Fulton, resigned in March 2018 after Callaway County Prosecuting Attorney Christopher Wilson said Central Bank officials met with him to talk about suspicious activity on a Callaway County checking account maintained by the County Collector.
“As Sheriff of Callaway County, I express my sincere gratitude to the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their prompt, professional, and expert assistance,” said Callaway County Sheriff Clay Chism. “Although this investigation could have been conducted on the local level, many factors made it apparent the case should be investigated by a federal agency for prosecution in the federal court system.”
Oestreich admitted to disbursing taxpayer funds for her personal use on 103 occasions beginning in September 2015. “Oestreich deposited taxpayer funds directly into her personal bank account,” according to a press release. “Oestreich also moved taxpayer funds between Callaway County bank accounts to conceal her theft of cash deposits made by taxpayers at the Callaway County Courthouse. The total amount embezzled by Oestreich from Callaway County taxpayers was $299,387.”
ABC 17 News previously reported The Callaway County Sheriff’s Department and Wilson contacted the FBI immediately after hearing about the suspicious activity.
Oestreich, the Callaway County Collector, met with county officials and tendered her resignation effective immediately. Her resignation from office was accepted by a unanimous vote of the County Commission.
The Callaway County Commission asked Galloway’s office to audit the collector’s office in March 2018, after hearing about the suspicious activity.
The audit was necessary for the county to re-open the office, which closed on March 15, but reopened after former Governor Eric Greitens appointed Tim Wilkerson as Callaway County’s new collector on April 11, and the office re-opened April 12.
Some Callaway County residents ABC 17 News crews talked to Monday got emotional and said they felt sorry for Oestreich and her family. Residents did not want to go on-camera or give any statements regarding the situation.
Oestreich faces up to 51 months in prison.
