Ambulance Chiefs Ripped Off $260K

SPRINGFIELD, MO – Two former officials at the Vernon County Ambulance District are facing federal charges after allegedly pilfering over $260,000 from the public service. Tina L. Werner, 51, and James D. McKenzie, 51, both formerly of Nevada, Missouri, were indicted by a grand jury last week, accused of a brazen scheme to line their own pockets at the expense of emergency services.

The indictment details a calculated operation spanning from January 2013 to October 2015. McKenzie, the district director since 1987, and Werner, the bookkeeper since 2000, allegedly used their positions to siphon funds into personal bank accounts and pay off personal credit cards. McKenzie oversaw daily operations and financial management, while Werner handled payroll, transactions, and accounts receivable – a perfect setup for abuse, authorities say.

According to the indictment, Werner initiated unauthorized electronic transfers and bill payments, diverting ambulance district funds for personal use. The pair also allegedly racked up $260,265 in fraudulent charges on a district credit card, covering McKenzie’s personal utility bills and those of a family member. Further compounding the alleged theft, Werner is accused of falsifying payroll records to inflate overtime hours for both herself and McKenzie, effectively stealing wages.

The feds claim the duo didn’t stop at simply taking the money. Werner allegedly attempted to cover her tracks by entering a false $130,000 deposit into QuickBooks and securing a $20,000 line of credit from OnDeck without board approval. As the scheme began to unravel, both McKenzie and Werner are accused of destroying financial records at the district office on October 23, 2015, in a desperate attempt to conceal their crimes.

The nine-count indictment lays out multiple counts of wire fraud. Specifically, the pair are charged with stealing from the district’s Christmas account – where employees pooled money for gifts – and the toy drive bank account, allegedly transferring funds to McKenzie’s construction business, McReed Construction. Additional wire fraud counts relate to the fraudulent overtime payments and the misuse of the district credit card.

McKenzie and Werner face serious consequences if convicted. The charges include conspiracy and multiple counts of wire fraud. While sentencing guidelines will ultimately determine the punishment, the scale of the alleged embezzlement suggests lengthy prison terms are likely. This case serves as a stark reminder that even those entrusted with public funds aren’t above the law, and Grimy Times will continue to follow this case as it unfolds.