United States Attorney James T. Jacks
Northern District of Texas

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2010
http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/txn/

FORMER WHEELER COUNTY SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT CLERK ADMITS STEALING PUBLIC MONEY

AMARILLO, Texas — Andrea Y. Auldridge, 33, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Mary Lou Robinson to one count of theft of public money, announced U.S. Attorney James T. Jacks of the Northern District of Texas. Auldridge faces a maximum statutory sentence of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and restitution. Sentencing is set for December 22, 2010.

According to plea documents filed in the case, from August 2004 until late February 2009, Auldridge worked as a clerk for the Wheeler County Soil and Water Conservation District. Her duties included preparing books, correspondence, answering the phone and preparing for board meetings.

In February 2009, it was discovered that Auldridge had obtained at least two unauthorized credit cards using the personal and business information of a board member and the Soil and Water Conservation office. The investigation also revealed that from January 2007 and January 2009, she had written unauthorized checks from the Soil and Water Conservation District payable to herself totaling $2,146 and had over paid herself a $1650 sales commission that was not authorized.

The case is being investigated by the Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christy Drake of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Amarillo.

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