Bookkeeper goes to court

Larita J. Grand, 51, former bookkeeper for the community, was arraigned Oct. 6 in Christian County court, charged with three felony counts of theft. She’s being held in the Christian County Jail on $25,000 cash-only bond.

According to Christian County Prosecutor Ron Cleek, the counts are all Class-C felonies, because the amounts were more than $250 but less than $25,000. Each count carries a penalty of one to seven years in prison and a fine of $5,000.

Capt. Jeremy Whitehill of the Christian County Sheriff’s Department said in a news release that Grand allegedly wrote checks to herself, forging the necessary signatures and depositing the money into her personal accounts. The alleged fraud, which took place during Grand’s employment with Saddlebrooke West Inc., Lorance Realty & Leasing and CBT Investments LLC, totaled more than $23,000 over a three-month period between May 13 and Aug. 17.

The fraud, according to the news release from the Sheriff’s Department, was discovered after an audit by Roberts, McKenzie, Mangan & Cummings PC.

Cleek said that he could not discuss any further details of the case at this point.

Clyde Lorance, owner and developer of Saddlebrooke and principal of the three companies mentioned in the charges, declined to comment, saying the issue is a matter for the courts to decide.

A hearing scheduled for Oct. 11 in Christian County Circuit Court was postponed at the request of the defendant and her attorney, Public Defender Paul Duchscherer. The hearing has been rescheduled for Oct. 18.

Saddlebrooke is an incorporated community within Christian and Taney counties south of Springfield, flanking Highway 65. Lorance began developing the land in 2001 after Highway 65 was widened to four lanes between Springfield and Branson.

The 3,000-acre development features more than 1,000 lots, ranging in size from one to five acres. Home prices in the development begin at about $250,000.

The community also includes a swimming pool, tennis courts, indoor and outdoor horseback riding areas, underground utilities and its own central water and sewer system.