In late August, GreeneStreets reported Linton police officer Debbie McDonald had been placed on administrative leave with pay, then in a separate story, the Indiana State Police confirmed they were investigating a reported “misuse of funds” from the Linton FOP. Few details were released at that time. More details emerged today when the FOP filed a civil case against McDonald alleging over $28,000 in funds have been “misappropriated” during the time McDonald served as the organization’s treasurer.

Linton Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge #105, v. Debbie McDonald is a complaint for damages that has been filed in Greene Superior Court by two attorneys acting on behalf of the FOP - Brent W. Seymour and Samuel C. Drummy, both of the Rowe Law Firm of Linton.

The complaint states McDonald was a member and served as treasurer of the FOP for at least 10 years and in that position, she was responsible for overseeing and managing the funds of the organization. McDonald allegedly withdrew or spent $28,000 of FOP funds for her own personal use and gain over the course of those 10 years.

The complaint alleges that McDonald breached the fiduciary duty owed to the Linton FOP when she withdrew or spent FOP funds without permission and it asks to be awarded $28,000 in compensatory damages.

In addition, the complaint states, “In misappropriating the funds of the Plaintiff organization (FOP), the Defendant (McDonald) acted with malice and fraud which was not the result of a mistake of fact or law, mere negligence or other human failing. Accordingly, the Plaintiff is entitled to recover punitive damages in an amount not to exceed three times the amount of compensatory damages awarded to Plaintiff or $50,000, whichever is greater.”

The Plaintiff also asks to be awarded court costs and reasonable attorney fees.

As of late today, no criminal charges have been filed against McDonald and no additional information has been released regarding the status of the investigation by the Indiana State Police.

Find previous stories by clicking on Tags below this story for “Debbie McDonald” or “Linton FOP.”