Former California city clerk charged, accused of stealing money from city
CALIFORNIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The former city clerk for the City of California was charged Friday after allegedly stealing money from the city in 2022.
Jessica Farmer, 42, of California, has been charged with stealing $750 or more, a felony. A criminal summons was issued. An arraignment hearing is set for 9 a.m. Tuesday, June 27.
A special prosecutor – Dustin Dunklee, of Morgan County -- was appointed for the case.
Farmer served as the city clerk from March 2022-September 2022. According to the probable cause statement, on July 6, 2022, city employee(s) made a deposit in an account at Commerce Bank. The deposit was made using money collected at City Hall for utility fee payments made by customers in the city.
The deposit was $1,300 less than the cash collected in the previous deposit, according to the probable cause statement.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol Division of Drug and Crime Control conducted an investigation. During an interview on Jan. 6, Farmer allegedly told investigators she took $1,300 for personal use, the statement says.
