Moniteau County officials making changes to spending methods
A former Moniteau County assessor is facing charges for misusing public funds and now her former office is making changes.
ABC 17 News first reported about these accusations when the former Moniteau County assessor, Amanda Trimble submitted her resignation at the end of last month. The prosecutor has now filed charges been against her.
Mac Finley, the Moniteau County commissioner says the investigation into the former assessor started when officials found problems in the credit card bills.
"We have one credit card for the County and that's one of the things I think we're going to change," Finley said.
Amanda Trimble is charged with three felonies in connection with the alleged misuse of public funds. Investigators believe she used a county credit card to pay for a personal trip back in October.
Prosecutors allege she charged nearly $450 to a county credit card for plane tickets.
Commissioner Mac Finley says elected officials in the Moniteau County courthouse are now going change the way the county makes payments.
Investigators also logged six other incidents in which Trimble "misrepresented county-related expenses" to receive reimbursement, according to the statement.
The probable cause statement says Trimble in total spent more than $4,800 of county money on personal expenses.
"I think we're going to have individual credit cards possibly or we're going to come up with a different system that's easier to monitor," Finley said.
One resident told ABC 17 News he has his doubts about whether or not Trimble is guilty.
"I just can't believe she did it and I'm going to hold that view until I'm proved right or wrong one way or another," Edward Ziegs said.
Another resident said Trimble should have to face some sort of consequence.
"She should get prosecuted for it, that's for sure, she shouldn't just be able to resign and get scot-free should have to pay back some type of restitution," said Richard Cotton, a California resident.
The commissioner says the county is looking to move past this incident.
"We're going to move forward with business as usual, just be diligent and make sure that things are spent appropriately," Finley said.
Trimble's arraignment is set for March 26.
