The indictment filed in Union County Circuit Court accuses Sandra Leavitt of stealing more than $16,000 from a child abuse assessment center

The Oregon Department of Justice today announced the indictment and arrest of a Union County woman accused of stealing from the Mt. Emily Safe Center, a nonprofit organization in La Grande that provides services to victims of child abuse and their non-offending family members.

“Stealing from nonprofits is unacceptable,” said Attorney General John Kroger.

Sandra Maur Leavitt (DOB: 05/28/61) was arrested today on one count of committing a computer crime and eight counts of Theft in the First Degree, all class “C” felonies. The Grand Jury for Union County indicted the defendant on April 27 for crimes spanning a sixteen month period in 2008 and 2009. She is accused of using a credit card taken out in the name of the nonprofit to make personal purchases. More than $16,000 was allegedly stolen.

The defendant was arrested today by the La Grande Police Department. She was released on bail and is scheduled to be arraigned May 24.

The Charitable Activities Section and the Criminal Justice Division of the Department of Justice have been investigating the defendant since January of 2010 when reports of suspicious activity were first received.

A criminal indictment is merely an allegation. Every criminal defendant is considered innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The Oregon Department of Justice’s Criminal Justice Division will be prosecuting the case.

Attorney General John Kroger leads the Oregon Department of Justice. The Department’s mission is to fight crime and fraud, protect the environment, improve child welfare, promote a positive business climate, and defend the rights of all Oregonians.

Contact:

Tony Green, (503) 378-6002 tony.green@doj.state.or.us |