For several years, local residents have asked whether there would be any formal charges filed after tens of thousands of dollars allegedly disappeared from Plumb Place’s bank accounts. The answer: no.
The Lyon County Attorney’s Office says there was insufficient evidence to lead to a conviction after over $50,000 was allegedly taken between January 2014 and April 2017. It says Emporia Police and a forensic accountant did “a fine job” in working the case with the goal of presenting it for potential charges. It also says there is probable cause to believe a crime was committed, but based on the investigation, it was impossible to determine who committed the crime or how it may have been committed.
The alleged theft eventually led to the end of Plumb Place operations at the end of 2020 when the agency couldn’t overcome the losses despite expanded fundraising efforts. It also led to the temporary end to a longstanding relationship with the United Way of the Flint Hills, which told the Plumb Place board to adhere to several steps to qualify for United Way funding, including a fraud examination. Plumb Place made changes to bylaws, policies and procedures and increased the size of its board to increase oversight shortly after that directive. However, the United Way halted funding to Plumb Place in 2019, saying the women’s crisis shelter was out of compliance. The United Way is now helping to re-establish services through its organization of the Plumb Place Steering Committee.
Jill Wheeler resigned as Plumb Place in April 2017 after leading the agency since 2001.
