Agree with others. As long as the professionals tell you that accepting the money offered doesn't mean you or authorities can't pursue the matter further(especially if investigation turns up more dollars owed), then I don't see adown side in getting the funds.
Don't sign anything regarding these funds (I could see someone trying to sneak some legal language in with these funds). But if they're willing to repay funds, jump at it.
You can get bank records and try to rebuild the financial records. For a small fee, the bank can provide you with everything. I do it for organizations all the time. It is not that hard unless she was stealing before the money got to the bank.
Second, chances are all the DA will get her for is restitution and possibly probation. Recently, we had a church treasurer in our town embezzle $125K and that's what she got.
While it would be nice to see her go down (I do have a vindictive streak in me), recouping the money is probably the avenue you want to pursue. JHB is right.
Sounds like you have the right professionals involved (police, district attorney). I would rely on their advice.
However, your primary concern should be recovering the funds and putting safeguards in place for the future. Why would you NOT accept the funds when offered?
If you have concerns about a second person being involved, discuss that issue with the DA and let them pursue it. There are a lot a deals made in these situations. The treasurer may be willing to come clean about an accomplice in the hopes that restitution and full disclosure will help her in the long run.
My advice: get the money back, discuss your concerns with the police/DA, let them guide you.
Over the last two years, our parent group treasurer (she says she acted alone) destroyed records and embezzled approximately 40K. We don't know exactly how much because she didn't keep any books or records.
I reported this crime to the police, who have been investigating since June. I would put how much we can prove, but I don't want anyone to have a heads up if you know what I mean.
Here is the dilema: The principal and school asst. superintendent have received calls from two of her family members begging us to give them a total. They say if we just give them a total, they will write a check. We (the principal, the asst. superintendent, myself) have told both the mother and sister that even if they pay the restitution up front, that the police will still prosecute (per the investigating detective), that it is out of our hands. They still want an amount and say we will have a check in our hands this afternoon. Even though we've told them that this gal will still be arrested and tried, I don't think they believe it. I believe they believe that a check will stop this from going further.
Something about the situation is bothering me, but I can't put my finger on it. One of the things that bothers me is that the other person we feel was in on it (some proof, but not as overwhelming as we have on the treasurer) gets off scott-free. One of the things that bothers me is that her family believes this will close the matter even though we've told them otherwise.
