Non-profit worker gets 54 months for embezzlement, tax evasion

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A former employee of a non-profit organization was sentenced Thursday to more than four years in federal prison.

Kim Cooper, 55, of St. Albans, was sentenced to 54 months after embezzling more than $1.5 million from Mountain State Justice, which provides legal service to low-income West Virginians. She also failed to pay income taxes to the Internal Revenue Service.

Cooper pleaded guilty on Jan. 23 to wire fraud and tax evasion.

She began working as an officer manager with Mountain State Justice in the late 1990s, a job in which she oversaw daily operations and depositing checks in the organization’s bank accounts.

Cooper secretly opened an account at WesBanco Bank in June 2004 in Mountain State Justice’s name and began stealing checks that were payments for attorneys’ fees, according to U.S. Attorney Carol Casto.

Cooper wrote checks from the account to a family member with notations to make the check appear as if it was from the non-profit. She omitted stolen checks from the cash log and hid WesBanco statements and other similar pieces of mail.

Cooper stopped these actions in late March 2016 when she was interviewed by federal law enforcement agents. Her employment was terminated after the interview.

Cooper was convicted in Wood County in the late 1990s for a financial crime involving embezzlement, according to U.S. District Judge John Copenhaver Jr.





More News

News
As Yeager Airport's Wildlife Patrol Dog turns 7, a new dog comes in to learn from him
The new Border Collie is getting acclimated and receiving training for his soon-to-be role.
March 28, 2024 - 6:30 pm
News
Dunlow Volunteer Fire Department closes
The Dunlow VFD did not have a valid workers compensation insurance policy.
March 28, 2024 - 6:20 pm
News
PEIA examines financial effects of new law meant to ensure local pharmacies get fair reimbursements
Gov. Jim Justice signed Senate Bill 453 into law this week.
March 28, 2024 - 4:11 pm
News
Barbour County woman sentenced after death case sent back to circuit court by Supreme Court
Carli Reed sentenced on voluntary manslaughter conviction.
March 28, 2024 - 4:11 pm