Embezzler given home detentionWoman took $145,000 from Mount Pleasant By Schuyler Kropf (Contact)
The Post and Courier
Friday, May 9, 2008
A former Mount Pleasant clerk who stole about $145,000 from the town was sentenced to one year of home detention Thursday after she made full restitution. 
Isabelle Perdue Isabelle Perdue, 46, asked for forgiveness for her crimes as she apologized to the town, its police and citizens. "All I ask is a second chance to make amends," she said through tears inside the Charleston County Judicial Center. Mount Pleasant police had asked for some period of incarceration. But Circuit Judge Roger Young said sending Perdue to an already crowded prison system for a non-violent offense would not add to her rehabilitation, considering she's lost her husband to divorce, her home and her standing in the community. Young did note that the town's reputation suffered as well, in part because Perdue "stole from right under the police chief's nose." Perdue, a former grants coordinator and payroll clerk at the police department, pleaded guilty in June to two counts of embezzlement of public funds over $5,000. She had faced a maximum of 10 years in prison on each count. Authorities say she defrauded the police department by paying herself about $50,000 in extras during a six-year period. She forged documents and collected sometimes hundreds of dollars per pay period she shouldn't have received. In addition, at least 14 grant checks, ranging from $1,000 to more than $25,000, were diverted to her personal account, police said. Perdue was arrested in April 2006, about two months after she had resigned her position with the town. Her scheme was so sophisticated that auditors did not discover what she was doing for some time, officials said. She'd been with the town for 14 years. Though Perdue pleaded guilty last year, her sentencing was postponed until now while a pre-sentencing report was completed; it recommended probation. Perdue's full sentence was 10 years in prison, suspended to one year of home detention and five years of probation. She also must continue mental health counseling. She was bi-polar and had used shopping as an outlet for stress in the same way an alcoholic uses alcohol, said defense attorney Barry Krell. Part of her restitution came from the sale of her home. She has already spent two years in home detention. Mount Pleasant Police Chief Harry Sewell said Perdue's solo action violated public trust and led to outside scrutiny of the department. As for Young's decision to reject prison time for Perdue, Sewell said "I have to support our criminal justice system." Reach Schuyler Kropfat skropf@postandcourier.com or 937-5551. |
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Comments
This article has 46 comment(s)
Posted by Thomas1776 on May 9, 2008 at 1:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If she was a man she would get serious prison time.
Posted by Thomas1776 on May 9, 2008 at 1:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
""She was bi-polar and had used shopping as an outlet for stress in the same way an alcoholic uses alcohol, said defense attorney Barry Krell."""
Krell is now the biggest clown and joke of Charleston. Congratulations KRELL!!!!
Posted by ColdBeer on May 9, 2008 at 5:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is not justice. Now, Circuit Judge Roger Young has defrauded the public too.
Posted by abitskeptical on May 9, 2008 at 6:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree that non-violent financial type crimes do not necessarily require prison time as part of the sentence.
However, if the person is going to receive probation, home detention, etc., the "Restitution", especially in a case such as this, should be required to be more than just the amount she embezzled.
She needs to be responsible for interest on the amount embezzled, the cost of investigating her crime as well as for whatever other costs were involved with other aspects of prosecution. Usually a sentence can also include a fine which can be as much as $250,000 for each count of a federal felony charge or $10,000 for each count of a state felony charge. Doesn't look like she received any fine, which she really should have in this case..
Posted by ChrisPia on May 9, 2008 at 6:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
she should have gotten prison time.Either way there is no incentive for other people not to do this.
Posted by abitskeptical on May 9, 2008 at 6:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
There is plenty incentive if they are on electronic home monitoring (which should be at least as long as a prison sentence would be & which they should be made to pay for also) where they can go to work to pay off full restitution-plus. Go to work, go home, go to work, go home, occasionally go to meet with probation officer, go to work, go home, period.
Unless she cares to show off her new ankle jewelry she will be limited to pants all summer...and when she sits down it will be obvious anyway...
Posted by JohnS on May 9, 2008 at 6:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This was not a loan and the judge treated it like that. I wonder where an unemployed person got $145,000.00 to pay the town back? If she needed to steal she must not have had any money.
Their is no justice. This person deserved jail time.
Posted by abitskeptical on May 9, 2008 at 6:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
A comment on the bi-polar thing.
I know a few folks with this condition. Even before treatment, I never saw them act outside of their core value/moral system. No stealing, no fraud, no embezzlement.
If someone has the inclination to be dishonest, then a bi-polar condition could exacerbate it, but please do not blame it for a lack of integrity.
There is a broad range of bi-polar condition. Unless someone is in the psychotic range, it is unlikely he/she will step out his/her basic value system. That being said, if a person is in the psychotic range, he/she would hardly be able to function in the job this women held.
What I said above also would apply to Al Parish...I believe his bi-polar condition was blamed for his lack of integrity & dishonesty.
Posted by abitskeptical on May 9, 2008 at 6:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
JohnS--the article said she sold her house & used that to pay off PART of her restitution. I do wonder where the rest of it came from? Maybe she had not used all the money in those accounts she set up into which she diverted grant money.
Posted by SCgal on May 9, 2008 at 7:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Teens sent away for 10 yrs with a first offense pellet gun and ADULTS steal thousands and get this?
Where's the "You do the Crime- You do the Time" gang at this AM?
http://www.helpingsean.com/
Posted by skeeter on May 9, 2008 at 7:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
SCGAL your comment makes no sense. The people the teens robbed feared for their life because they didn't know it was a pellet gun. That my dear is a VIOLENT crime! Embezzlement is a non-violent crime and restitution was made. Whereas I think she got off very lucky comparing her crime to armed robbery is ludicrous.
Posted by number1volsfan1 on May 9, 2008 at 7:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Armed robbery is not just a simple "first offense with a pellet gun". Those thugs got exactly what they deserved.
Posted by SCgal on May 9, 2008 at 8:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
As an adult she fully understood the consequences of her crime~ continues her crime for how many years, gets caught, walks off easy and free to move on~~
A teen's mind is not fully developed, nor do they understand the full extent of their actions and get 24/7 x 10 yrs with hardened criminals and then back into society at the age of 26 to be your neighbor with a prison population guidance vs. a chance of becoming a productive citizen
So where is the justice?
http://www.charleston.net/news/2008/may/...
Posted by ColdBeer on May 9, 2008 at 8:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'll chime in too.. the teens that committed TWO armed robberies and ONE car theft deserved MUCH more than they got.
This woman also deserves prison time. Once again the justice system has failed.
Welcome back skeeter, been on vacation or something?
Posted by Early on May 9, 2008 at 8:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
You know, after reading about what criminal gets what punishment, I have come to the determination that judges have waaaayyyy too much power. It should be fairly clear-cut, embezzlement, page 234 5 years in prison, period!
Mt Pleasant teens that rob, ten years
Gadsden Green boys that rob, same weapon, not even charged yet???????
Posted by tripsa on May 9, 2008 at 8:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
She should at least get a year in prison due to her position of public trust.
In the future, will others look at this and figure, WTH, its worth the chance...?
Posted by SCgal on May 9, 2008 at 8:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Teens on a whim with poor judgement and decisions
versus an adult with a sophisticated, well thought out, elusive plan to steal, carried out for months~
Where's the justice?
Posted by ColdBeer on May 9, 2008 at 8:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Violent teens that point a loaded gun at other WORKING teens and numerous INNOCENT customers of all ages? I agree, where is the justice. They should spend much more than ten years in prison.
Posted by konphidence on May 9, 2008 at 9:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
if this was someone 'else' they were going to jail. i know what I am going to do. i am going to steal from my company, have my wife divorce me on paper and plead to the judge for one year home detention for my crime. then i can move on with my new life and wife. i am so sick of so many getting away with crime because of doctors' note.
Posted by Early on May 9, 2008 at 9:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Ok, why is it woman that look like Tammy Faye Baker are involved with embezzlement?
Posted by Iknow on May 9, 2008 at 9:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
You're right SCGal, she should have gotten 10 years too.
Posted by ColdBeer on May 9, 2008 at 9:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
She kind of looks like she just sat down on a corn cob or something.
Posted by abitskeptical on May 9, 2008 at 9:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I think it is a side effect rather than a cause of embezzlement.
Maybe they need to put a surgeon general warning on the bills:
Embezzlement of this money carries extreme likelihood that you will gradually morph into a Tammy Faye look-a-like... but of course that would serve as a come-on to at least a few people. Never mind, forget the warning..if someone embezzles they deserve all consequences :)
Posted by bigwhip on May 9, 2008 at 9:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I wonder if her supervisor(s) were terminated or received a letter of reprimand??? Note, Mr. Young stated "she took the money from under the nose of the chief".
Posted by wpc3iop on May 9, 2008 at 9:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
She should go to JAIL...spending a little time with "Big Bubbette" would probably cure her shopping addiction...
Posted by Early on May 9, 2008 at 9:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
ColdBeer either that or she just farted!
Posted by Chief_SittingBull on May 9, 2008 at 10:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
There is about $145,000 worth of bad plastic surgery...all over her face.
Posted by SCHoser on May 9, 2008 at 10:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow-I guess crime does pay! Wish I could get an interest free loan for 145 grand. And if anyone thinks that being on "home detention" is punishment, well, that's just crazy! Sit in your lounge chair and watch tv and eat popcorn and candy all day-have your boyfriend/girlfriend over! Real hard time there! One thing I'm still trying to understand-how in the world can a lawyer say that "she used shopping like an alcoholic uses alcohol"? That's her excuse?!? Seems like the idiot judge bought it though....
Posted by Girleygirl on May 9, 2008 at 10:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
LMAO @ Chief
She look like an owl.
Posted by Early on May 9, 2008 at 10:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Chief, I noticed the same thing. Looks like the permanently put that "deer in the headlights" look on her!
Posted by candygirl on May 9, 2008 at 12:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Here we go again ,white female steals thousands from her employer over several years and she gets no jail time.
She gets to go home ,sit back ,have a cocktail,laugh at the system, she just got over on.
Stealing is a crime,Where is the justice?
Posted by ColdBeer on May 9, 2008 at 12:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hmmm... she averaged $2000 a month for 6 years. I think I'd certainly agree to one year staying at home if someone paid me $2000 a month for six years.
Justice.. or lack there of... amazing.
Posted by KidYendor on May 9, 2008 at 12:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think she should be forcefully bungeed off the big bridge to drop within 10-15 feet of the water. That will scare her to death. Then she should go to jail for awhile, at minimum a year since the debt has been repaid, much longer if not.
Posted by STREETLAW on May 9, 2008 at 12:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Let us not be too quick to judge. Looking at her eyes and mouth, This woman does seem to have had a stoke or some kind of undiagnosed brain disorder. And then there is the matter of opportunity.
According to Howard Duvall, Head of the Municipal Association of South Carolina, municipalities in SC are not fiscally accountability to any state agency. They are required to have a yearly audit, but I am told that has no teeth.
While posing as democracies, what most towns seem to be is oligarchies. That is government of the few, by the few, and for the few. And those are historical prone to corruption.
As to the adequacy of the punishment in the case of Mount Pleasant and Ms. Perdue, some suggest she got off easy because she is a woman. Some might wonder if she didn't operate all this time under cover of official right due to a liaison with someone in high places. I'm sure that is not the case.
But by coincidence, there is a case in Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin, where a male clerk was caught misappropriating less than $20,000. He was recently sentenced, but the outcome has not yet been reported. Perhaps that will shed some light on whether justice was served where Ms. Perdue is concerned.
In the meanwhile, will someone please contact a legislator and get a law that ensures a timely independent audit of a municipality's expenditures if there is even the appearance of impropriety.
We might find our taxes are reduce from time to time, once the hemorrhaging of tax dollars through fraud, waste and abuse is stemmed.
Posted by lillycollette on May 9, 2008 at 1:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yep. Fraud is a big slice of the tax pie.
Posted by Chief_SittingBull on May 9, 2008 at 1:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
No kiddin,' Early and Girley...She can "see into the future..."
Posted by Thomas1776 on May 9, 2008 at 2:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Prison is for punishment. Home detention is not.
This judge is just another farce. A man doing this would have gotten prison time. And that's a fact.
Posted by Thomas1776 on May 9, 2008 at 2:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
SCgal,
Excellent point. We have some real losers for judges. And I could fire off some of their names real quick. But this is not the time nor place for it.
Posted by Chief_SittingBull on May 9, 2008 at 3:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Good Heavens, take the mug down already. She looks like if she opens her mouth, you’ll hear in a high pitched voice, “Coo Coo.”
Posted by Mayor on May 9, 2008 at 4:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
She is the only person to pay full restitution in this state ever.
Why cost the state money, when it was taken from the city?
You all are F'd up. Seriously F'd up. Go drink and drive.
Posted by sc_native on May 9, 2008 at 5:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If she would have robbed a bank for a $145,000, she would be facing years in prison. How is embezzlement any different. Judge Roger Young should be locked up with her.
Posted by raregar67 on May 9, 2008 at 5:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
SCgal...I totally agree w/ your 1st post. Those 2 kids sitting in a max security prison vs. what this woman did. They have 10 yrs. of pure hell! Lady McMuffin gets to stay home???WTF
Posted by abitskeptical on May 9, 2008 at 6:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
sc_native--if you don't see a difference between the crime of embezzlement & the crime of robbing a bank(usually involves a deadly weapon) then I guess we all should be thankful you're "not in charge".
Posted by abitskeptical on May 9, 2008 at 7:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
konphidence--I agree that her bi-polar condition should not be used as an excuse for her lack of integrity. Doing so sets back understanding of mental health issues enormously.
As I stated previously, I know several people who suffer from this condition & the condition has never "caused" them to act outside of their core set of values & morals..no theft, deceit, fraud, embezzling.
Posted by RTC on May 9, 2008 at 7:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Just in cae anyone is interested, bipolar disorder can be faked. It is diagnosed partially on descriptions that the patient gives to the doctor.
Bipolar used to be referred to as manic depression.
Posted by wonderdog on May 9, 2008 at 9:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I listened to the same criminal attorney (now there's an oxymoron) defend a teenager who had burglarized 27 houses by claiming that his allergy to peanuts led him to a life of crime. That teenager is now in his 40's and continues his career - carjacking, possession of stolen goods, grand larceny, drugs, etc. in just the past 5 years. What a crock.