Denton County Employee Accused of Stealing Nearly $800,000

Allegations of Long-Term Fraud

• 📌 A longtime Denton County employee, Connie McKithan, is accused of stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars over several years.
• 🎯 McKithan, an administrative supervisor since 1990, allegedly exploited her position in the probation office.

Method of Alleged Fraud

• 💰 Investigators believe McKithan manipulated the computer system to conceal her theft.
• 💸 For cash payments, she allegedly changed the record to indicate payment by money order, then pocketed the cash.
• 💳 For money orders, she allegedly altered the system to show the fee was waived, then deposited the money order.

Internal Controls and Discovery

• 💡 An accounting professor highlights the importance of internal controls and dual oversight to prevent such fraud.
• 🔍 The scheme was discovered when McKithan's replacement noticed a discrepancy upon her retirement.
• ⚠️ Denton County has stated that control measures have been improved to prevent future occurrences.

Financial Impact and Legal Status

• 📈 Investigators estimate McKithan stole nearly $800,000 since 2016.
• ⚖️ McKithan is currently out on bond, and attempts to reach her for comment were unsuccessful.
• 🏅 The Crimestoppers organization expressed concern, stating they had no knowledge of criminal behavior when they honored her in 2020.