Former Springfield Little Theatre employee sentenced for theft

Last edited 12:17 p.m., Jan. 16, 2012

A former Springfield Little Theatre employee yesterday was sentenced to five years in the Department of Corrections with a 120-day Greene County Jail sentence, for misappropriating funds from the theater's box office. According to Greene County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Patterson's office, 90 days of the jail sentence was suspended by the court for use at a later date if desired.

According to a news release from the theater, Katherine Keller also will pay $43,543 in restitution.

Springfield Little Theatre found evidence that funds were taken from a separate account unrelated to the theater's general operating account or its accounts for grant funds, donor contributions or development campaigns.

According to Springfield Business Journal archives, theater officials discovered that money was missing in January 2010 after finding discrepancies during the preparation of its regular financial reports.

The theater issued the following statement in the release:

"Springfield Little Theatre cooperated fully with the investigation and is pleased with this outcome. The theater's board and staff feel that justice has been served. The theater is excited to put this case to rest and continue to provide southwest Missouri audiences with wonderful entertainment in the beautiful Landers Theatre."[[In-content Ad]]