[MSN] Former museum worker allegedly stole $210,996

[Museum Security Network Mailinglist]

Former museum worker allegedly stole $210,996

By Jordan Schrader
JSCHRADE at CITIZEN-TIMES.COM
March 15, 2007 12:15 am

ASHEVILLE — Police say a bookkeeper working for the Asheville Art Museum stole $210,996 over three years by writing checks to herself.

City police and museum officials said Beverly Ayers Wyatt, 54, understated earnings from admission fees and catalog sales between December 2003 and November 2006, pocketing the difference. She was charged with four counts of embezzlement.

Museum staff uncovered suspicious bookkeeping after firing Wyatt in November for poor work performance, Executive Director Pam Myers said Wednesday.

Myers said the staff was shocked that the museum’s regular audits had missed the thefts and that she was hopeful the money will be recovered.

The theft did not affect operations, said Rob Pulleyn, chairman of the museum’s board of directors.

Myers had a tight budget, which she met, Pulleyn said. Two months ago, the board gave Myers its unanimous vote of confidence.

Wyatt, of Fletcher, had no prior criminal record, Detective Mike Downing said. She was released without bond after the Tuesday arrest.

Attorney Ronald Justice, who police said is representing Wyatt, did not return a phone message Wednesday.

The museum had an operating budget of $1.3 million in 2006 and has attracted 1.2 million visits in the past five years.

Staff writer Paul Clark contributed to this story.

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