It's been over a year since an investigation began into the misuse of funds belonging to the Linton F.O.P. Lodge, followed by the arrest of a former Linton Police Officer accused of the theft of over $20,000. The case is getting closer to a conclusion since the officer changed her plea to guilty of theft as a misdemeanor and a judgement of conviction was entered into the court record earlier this week.

A criminal case was filed on Wednesday, December 15, against Debbie McDonald, then 53, now 54, Linton, on a charge of theft – where the value of the property was between $750 and $50,000. It’s a Level 6 felony.

McDonald was under investigation by Detective Toni R. Walden of the Indiana State Police since mid-August of 2021 when officials from the Linton F.O.P. Lodge #105 requested an investigation into unauthorized purchases and withdrawals from the F.O.P.’s checking and savings accounts that they believed occurred over the course of several years.

McDonald, a former police officer who served with the Linton Police Department, served as treasurer of the local F.O.P. and had possession of the only debit card associated with the organization’s checking account. She also had access to online banking for the checking and savings accounts. In addition, the bank statements for these accounts were addressed to the attention of McDonald, including her personal home address.

McDonald had been actively serving as an LPD officer when the ISP investigation began in August. At that time, LPD Chief Paul Clark confirmed that McDonald was placed on administrative leave with pay, in keeping with the law and standard policies regarding these matters.

Then in mid-November, Chief Clark confirmed that McDonald had stepped down from her position and submitted her resignation on November 15, effective immediately.

A special prosecutor, Stanley Levco of Evansville was appointed to the case and McDonald has been represented by J. Scott Callahan and Amanda Kathryn Simon, both of Bedford.

On Wednesday of this week, October 12, a negotiated plea agreement was filed in Greene Superior Court signed by McDonald, her attorney, and the special prosecutor.

Under the terms of the agreement, which was accepted by the court, McDonald agreed to plead guilty to theft as a Class A misdemeanor rather than a felony.

The agreement states that a suspended sentence and the terms of probation will be left to the discretion of the court and that restitution in the amount of $20,000 to the Linton F.O.P. is to be paid prior to sentencing.

Since the funds to pay for the restitution are being held in an escrow account, it is expected that the date of a sentencing hearing will be set not too far in the future.

Several other stories about this case have been posted on GreeneStreets, so for more background information, click on the Tag “Debbie McDonald” below this story.