In a significant breach of trust that spanned nearly a decade, Tamara (Tammy) Clevenger, the former Clerk-Treasurer for the City of Morton, Washington, has admitted to an embezzlement scheme that siphoned off close to a million dollars from the city’s funds. Clevenger pleaded guilty to wire fraud charges at the U.S. District Court in Tacoma, as reported by the Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller. The confirmation comes ahead of her sentencing set for July 7.
An audit conducted by the Washington State Auditor's Office in 2024 laid bare the scale of Clevenger's deceit, unearthing the theft of $937,584. Across the span of nine years, while serving from 2012 to 2022, the former city official harnessed a variety of nefarious methods to divert city monies for personal gain. The stolen funds were discovered in December 2021, when she had transferred funds for $311,727, pocketing cash intended to pay for city services.
Clevenger's fraudulent activities included writing city checks to herself and covering up her tracks with fake vendor invoices to mimic legitimate city expenditures. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, she exploited checks that had been pre-signed by the mayor for emergency situations to misappropriate at least $625,857. Among her methods was the utilization of an ATM card belonging to the City of Morton for unauthorized cash withdrawals.
In one particular instance, cited as evidence in the wire fraud case, Clevenger facilitated a transfer of $5,808 using wires that connected bank accounts across state lines – from Washington to Umpqua bank servers located elsewhere. Following the unsettling revelations made by the audit, Morton officials have taken rigorous steps to ensure no single person wields unchecked control over the city's banking operations, putting in place new checks and balances.
As part of her plea agreement, Clevenger has consented to make restitution to the city, with credit granted for the $8,626 she previously deposited back into city accounts. Her case, investigated in concert by the FBI, IRS, and the Washington State Auditor’s Office, brought to light the insidious nature of internal financial crimes. The prosecution, led by Assistant United States Attorney Amanda McDowell, saw the parties agree to recommend a three-year prison term for Clevenger, though U.S. District Judge Tiffany M. Cartwright possesses the authority to determine the final sentence. This admission of guilt to wire fraud, an offense punishable by up to twenty years of imprisonment, concludes a chapter of breached fiduciary responsibility that has undoubtedly shaken the City of Morton.
Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller announced the guilty plea, highlighting the gravity of the situation and the consequential steps taken to prevent similar occurrences in the future. Justice, with its deliberate pace, will soon deliver its final word on a saga of betrayal that now sees Clevenger awaiting her sentence beneath the scales.
