Treasurer arrested for taking funds from ambulance program

Friday, December 4, 2009

Spencer Daily Reporter

A 61-year-old Sioux Rapids woman is being investigated for theft in the second degree in an alleged scheme to take thousands of dollars from the Sioux Rapids Ambulance Service.

In mid-October, the Buena Vista County Sheriff's department was alerted to a possible theft from the ambulance program. Routine bookkeeping had discovered that some of the program's funds may have been used inappropriately. According to Sheriff Gary Launderville, it appears that perhaps $4,000 was misappropriated over three years for personal uses by the treasurer of the program. Following an audit of the account, Betty Louise Ludwig was charged with the felony. She was booked and released on bond from the Buena Vista County Jail. The investigation is continuing, and the findings to date have been turned over to the county attorney for prosecution.

Comments

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$4000 over 10 years is not that much money. Why don't we convict her of a misdemeanor, let her pay the money back, take away her job, and call it a day. Let's not make a mountain out of a mole hill.

-- Posted by Molly Weasley on Fri, Dec 4, 2009, at 9:17 AM

Seriously? $4000 not much money? Then you will not mind donating that sum to the ambulance service. I am sure it will be greatly appreciated! Also the article says the money was taken over a three year period......although I do not believe that the time period really makes a difference.

-- Posted by deweyh on Fri, Dec 4, 2009, at 4:50 PM

I don't see why thieves pictures don't appear in the paper, like sex offenders. These are people who deserve to be watched closely. When they go into a place of business, they would feel that everyone is aware of their identity as a thief. We all pay for stealing at the cash register, and it is no small sum.

-- Posted by A. View Point on Fri, Dec 4, 2009, at 8:40 PM

I am amazed how some feel that $4,ooo.oo is not much money and that we should just have her pay it back and call it a day.

Wake up for gosh sake! When I read through the other stories and comments on them, i notice how Molly Weasley you complain over and over again on anything that the city does that costs money, complaining how they need to be finding jobs, businesses, etc. Yet, a person can steal from an ambulance program and you blow it off like its no big deal. Do us all a favor and at least be consistent when your going to complain, or better yet, quit complaining so much and get out there and find businesses for the town if you think others aren't doing a good enough job. People always seem to point the blame at others, but they forget that they who blame are as much to blame as anyone else.

-- Posted by iowaborn on Fri, Dec 4, 2009, at 10:17 PM

I think that we are complacent when it comes to certain crimes. Pilfer a few hundred dollars a month for several years and that's no big deal. Hold up a convenience store with your finger in your pocket and go to prison for twenty years. Doesn't it seem that there are some strange dichotomies to the male verses female criminal? One doesn't have the nerve to steal from you in person but gets away with ten times as much money and that seem less dangerous somehow. If she sleeps with a juvenile male he's a lucky stud, no big deal. If her male counter part grabs an under age tush, he's off to jail and spends the rest of his life on the sex offender list.......What's wrong with this picture?

-- Posted by A. View Point on Sun, Dec 6, 2009, at 4:06 PM

A thief is a thief, he or she may steal a quarter

from his mama, as a teenager it may be a car, as an adult, who knows? a slap on the wrist might be enough to deter, but jail time has more affect. A good whipping as a child might have taught her rules of behavior.

-- Posted by MEMOBLACK on Sun, Dec 6, 2009, at 4:54 PM

WOW, iowaborn, I was going to say the exact same thing. Someone who complains about every.single.dollar. the city spends honestly doesn't care about $4000 someone stole from the ambulance program? Why? Because it didn't affect them as directly as the almighty tax dollar? PEOPLE are what's important, and many lives (maybe even your own someday) depend on ambulances. $4000 may not seem like a lot to you, but I'm sure the ambulance program needs it.

-- Posted by notinia on Mon, Dec 7, 2009, at 2:29 AM

Wether $4,ooo is a large amount or small amount its the matter of the fact that its still our money she was taking. She was taking away from services that could save your life one day. Some say she should get a slap on the wrist, but if you would have had to use an ambulance you would be on the opposite side of that. Stealing is stealing, it is criminal and should be punished as so.

-- Posted by Shotzy5137 on Mon, Dec 7, 2009, at 7:14 AM

no matter how you look at it, the person has not even been found guilty and you are trying to have her hung. there may be more than what you know it alls know. if i just accuse you of something and you are not found guilty do you want your pics posted all over for the world to see? if she is found guilty then it will probably be posted, we still are in america, innocent until proven guilty, correct????

-- Posted by openmnded on Tue, Dec 8, 2009, at 7:53 AM

openmnded, who ANYWHERE got anywhere near having anyone hung? I understand your viewpoint, but sheesh, you're getting a little dramatic here aren't you?

-- Posted by notinia on Fri, Dec 11, 2009, at 3:34 PM