AZ Bookeeper Embezzles from Museum

tucsoncitizen.com |  5/4/09 | $970,000 | suspect:  Ruth Sons | victim:  Tcson Museum of Art

A former Tucson Museum of Art employee accused of embezzling nearly $1 million from its payroll account and gift shop receipts over five years was arraigned Monday on seven felony charges in Pima County Superior Court.

Ruth Sons, 65, of Tucson, pleaded not guilty to the charges: three counts of fraud, three counts of theft and one count of illegally conducting an enterprise.

Attorney General Terry Goddard said in a news release Monday that Sons allegedly embezzled $973,010 from the museum, where she worked "as a bookkeeper and accountant."

He said her alleged crimes include forging the signatures of the museum's chief financial officer and museum director; stealing cash intended for deposit from sales at the museum shop, and "manipulating the museum's general accounting ledger to conceal the embezzlement."

Anne Titus Hilby, spokeswoman for the Attorney General's Office, said in a news release the "alleged scheme was uncovered during an internal audit conducted by the museum last year."

Dozens of forged checks were cashed at a check cashing business in Tucson, according to documents in the case.