Veterans Memorial Foundation Treasurer Accused Of Stealing
THORNTON, Colo. (CBS4)- The treasurer of the Thornton Veterans Memorial Foundation has been accused of stealing money meant to honor those who have served our country.
Tami Colleen William has been charged with theft for allegedly embezzling more than $14,000 from the foundation.
"We were so close to getting it fully completed. We had all the funds in the bank," said Jim Branaugh, chairman of the Thornton Veterans Memorial Foundation.
In August, the foundation discovered their funds had been stolen and they couldn't afford to complete the project.
William, 56, is accused of transferring foundation funds to her own use between November 2010 and December 2013.
Branaugh said all signs pointed to William and they had no choice but to call police.
"The whole organization felt betrayed. We had a trusted member in the organization who took advantage of the position she was in," said Branaugh.
William served as treasurer of the foundation, which was created to build and maintain a memorial for veterans in Thornton.
She is a vocal supporter of veterans' issues, dedicating much of her Facebook page and free time to veteran causes. Her colleagues never suspected she would steal from them.
The foundation still needs about $10,000 to finish the memorial.
"It's going to need some panels and then the memorial brick in the ground," said City of Thornton spokesman Todd Barnes.
The City of Thornton said when police explained what happened in the case, they acted and immediately passed a resolution to pay for completion of the project, no matter the cost.
"The City Council didn't really flinch at getting this done because they knew it was the right thing to do," said Barnes.
William will be officially charged with embezzlement on Friday.