By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – The trial for the former museum director accused of stealing thousands of dollars from the organization’s accounts is expected to last as long as five days, but won’t start next week as planned.
Deborah Sue Knapp
Debbie Knapp, 52, remains free on an unsecured bond, following her arrest in December.
She has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges of theft in connection with an investigation that the Lewis County Historical Museum’s endowment fund of more than $460,000 was drained.
Lewis County Deputy Prosecutor Will Halstead said attorneys are still examining years of financial records.
“There’s so much stuff, everybody needs more time,” Halstead said yesterday.
Knapp’s defense is listed as “general denial” on court documents.
She is represented by Chehalis attorney Ken Johnson.
Prosecutors allege Knapp routinely issued herself extra pay through payroll draws and used the museum debit card for personal expenses.
Prosecutors have said they expect further charges when an audit of the financial records is completed.
This week in Lewis County Superior Court, attorneys and a judge rescheduled Knapp’s trial for the week of October 15.
In November, when museum members learned the non-profit organization was in the red and the endowment fund was empty, four officers on the 13-member board were replaced, the accounts were closed and the museum was shut down temporarily. It has since reopened.
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For background, see “Prosecutor: Former museum director gave herself thousands of dollars in fraudulent payroll draws” from Friday December 30, 2011, here
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter