News : Former Benton Development Group director Becker charged with theft of nearly $50K from group

The Vinton Police Department has filedfirst degree theft charges filed against former Benton Development Group Director Ranae Becker. According to the VPD, In February 2014, the Board of Directors of the Benton Development Group identified possible discrepancies in their organization's financial records and reported their concerns to the Benton County Attorney's Office. The case was referred to the Vinton Police Department for further investigation. The Vinton Police Department contacted the State of Iowa Auditor's Office to examine the Benton Development Group's financial records. The Auditor's Office investigation focused on the period of January 1, 2009 through August 31, 2014. During that time, Ranae Leanne Becker, age 46, of Vinton, was serving as the Executive Director of the Benton Development Group and was responsible for the organization's daily operations and finances. The report identified $49,634.32 of improper and unsupported disbursements by Becker. A criminal complaint was filed on March 29 against Becker for Theft 1st Degree; a Class C Felony, section 714.1 (1)/714.2(1). Becker was booked into the Benton County Jail on Wednesday, March 29, 2017. She appeared before a Benton County Magistrate later the same day and was released from custody after posting bond. The Vinton Police Department was assisted during this investigation by the Benton County Attorney's Office, and the State Auditor of Iowa. The arrest of Becker followed an audit made by the Iowa Auditor of State's Office, and signed by State Auditor Mary Mosiman, and also released today. Below is information from that audit, which can be seen in its entirety HERE. According to that audit, improper disbursements identified include $17,435.51 of improper purchases with BDG's credit card and $12,825.01 of improper payroll disbursements to Ms. Becker, the former Executive Director, and related payroll costs. The improper purchases made with BDG's credit card include payments to wireless phone providers, Alliant Energy, retail vendors, and purchases made while on vacations in Virginia. The improper purchases with the credit card also include payments to convenience stores and television service providers. These purchases were identified as personal in nature and not related to the operations of the BDG. Mosiman also reported sufficient documentation was not available for a number of disbursements from BDG's bank accounts.As a result, it was not possible to determine if certain disbursements were made for BDG operations or were personal in nature. The unsupported disbursements to vendors total $7,320.67 and unsupported credit card purchases total $3,624.31. Since 2004, the Benton Development Group's Executive Director position has been held by two individuals. Becker began employment with BDG as an administrative assistant in April 1996 and was promoted to Executive Director in June 2004, a position she held until she was laid off in 2013 as a result of budget constraints. She then worked as an "as needed volunteer"� until July 2013 when she was rehired as a part-time employee working approximately 10 hours per week. The audit report indicates that while as director, Becker processed all of BDG's financial transactions. Financial reports she presented to the Board were often summaries and presented verbally with limited written documentation to support the report. Becker was also in charge of issuing pay checks to herself, according to the Audit, which indicates that she issued herself more payroll checks then she was authorized to issue. "We compared the number of checks Ms. Becker issued to herself to the authorized number of checks for the period January 1, 2009 through March 31, 2013. As illustrated by Exhibit D, Ms. Becker received more than 2 checks within a month on a several occasions. For example, in May 2012 she received 3 payroll checks even though she received 2 in April and 2 in June. In addition, she received 4 payroll checks in August 2012, 3 payroll checks in October 2012, and 3 payroll checks in December 2012 even though she received 2 payroll checks in each of the prior and succeeding months," reads the audit. Becker left BDG's employment in June 2014 during the Board's search for a new full time Executive Director. After interviewing a number of candidates, the Board offered the position to Emily Upah, who became the Executive Director in August 2014 and continues to hold that position. Changes in policies listed The BDG Board issued the following statement today: During Feb. & March of 2014 as part of their due diligence investigation the current board of Benton Development Group (BDG) discovered possible irregularities in the financial records of the organization. These irregularities were reported to the Benton County Attorney at that time. Subsequent investigations included an audit by Iowa State auditor's office. That audit was released Wednesday March 28^thand is available at their web site. Immediately upon recognition of these irregularities in 2014 the BDG Board embarked on a series of actions to more fully ensure the proper safeguarding of its funds. The State auditors commended BDG for implementing these and other actions which should negate similar problems in the future. Some of these actions include:

• Effective August 1, 2014, a new executive director was hired.
• Payroll and payroll taxes are now handled by an independent payroll services company.
• BDG has adopted a new financial policy to ensure soundness and oversight of financial records.

The BDG Board of Directors awaits the review of the report by the County Attorney and pledges its full cooperation. The current BDG Board of Directors is fully committed to insuring that all monies provided to it are spent prudently, are fully documented, and regularly reviewed by it. The board is proud of its accomplishments over the past three years and pledges its continued commitment to improving the economic vitality of the business, communities and citizens of Benton County.