The Demopolis Times

MARION – Renee B. Kilpatrick, the former vice president of finance at Judson College, was convicted on charges of first-degree theft, according to a release issued by Attorney General Troy King on Monday.

Kilpatrick pleaded guilty to withdrawing $21,059 from an account at Judson College, which was then placed in a money order and used to purchase a 2000 Chevrolet pick-up truck that had been customized.

On Monday, she was sentenced to five years imprisonment, which was then suspended and ordered to serve a five-year supervised probation and to pay back the $21,059 to Judson.

“We are very grateful to Attorney General King and his staff for the successful prosecution of this case,” said David Potts, president of Judson College. “The college takes very seriously its responsibility to protect all funds entrusted to us by alumnae, churches and other good friends and to use them in support of the educational mission of the institution. Losses were insured and have been recovered.”

According to the release issued by the state’s office of Attorney General, Kilpatrick was an employee of Judson’s bookkeeping department from 1992-2005, eventually earning the title of vice president of finance.

“This defendant betrayed the trust of her employer and abused her position to steal from Judson College,” King said. “It is fortunate that school officials uncovered her theft and that she has been held to account for her wrongdoing.”

According to King’s Web site, the public corruption and white collar crime division is comprised of prosecutors specially trained in the prosecution of public corruption, election fraud, bid-rigging, complex economic crimes and ethics code violations.

According to Answers.com, white-collar crime is defined as nonviolent crimes committed by corporations or individuals such as office workers or sales personnel in the course of their business activities.

Embezzlement, false advertising, bribery, unfair competition, tax evasion and unfair labor practices also fall into the realm of white-collar crime.

“The citizens of Alabama may be assured that my public corruption and white collar crime division will take action to prosecute and punish such criminals,” King said.