Hartshorne Residents Want Action In Former City Clerk Embezzlement Case

The report shows Former City Clerk Dawn Dunkin used the city's credit card to purchase nearly $1.5 million worth of personal items

Thursday, November 29th 2018, 10:33 pm

By: Amy Avery

Hartshorne Residents Want Action In Former City Clerk Embezzlement Case

It has been one year since an investigation revealed several Hartshorne city employees embezzled nearly $2 million over a five year period and still, no charges have been filed.

The state auditors report revealed the city's credit card was used to purchase Thunder tickets, a cruise even holiday decorations.

Hartshorne Residents Wary Of System After Audit Reveals Missing $2 Million

The report shows Former City Clerk Dawn Dunkin used the city's credit card to purchase nearly $1.5 million worth of personal items including $1,000 worth of Christmas decorations. many of those decorations listed in the report including this Santa water ski scene are displayed right here in her front yard.

"It goes right to the stomach. You see all these decorations. You don't see any other houses in town to have all these decorations out," said Belinda Spears of Hartshorne.

Belinda is one of several people concerned with Hartshorne's future after the release of the 2017 State Auditor's Report. She says despite fundraising efforts, the community pool hasn't been filled in years and the city can barely afford to fix the streets.

"There are a lot of good hearts here. There are a lot of good people here and we thought the town was going along fine but we kept seeing it deteriorate," said Spears.

The report shows Dawn Dunkin used the city's credit card for personal purchases between January of 2011 and September of 2016.

"We don't have money for decorations on Main Street so if she was truly repentant of what she's done. Why didn't she give them back to the city," said Spears.

Dunkin but she didn't answer any requests for comment. Dunkin's father also came to the home asked News On 6 to leave the property.

"Most people in town can't afford anything like that. And to know what has been done to our town and to see those decorations. It hurts," said Spears.

No charges have been filed so far against any of the people involved. But we've learned the FBI is investigating this case and it could take some time before anything is decided.

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