Former BRD Employee Accused Of Embezzling
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A former Blue Ribbon Downs employee was charged Tuesday with one felony count of embezzlement after failing to make restitution payments for money she had stolen late last year.

An arrest warrant was issued Tuesday for Kelly Leann Harden, 23, for one count of embezzlement by an employee for allegedly taking a total of $830 between Sept. 18 and Oct. 10.

A probable cause affidavit filed in Sequoyah County District Court Tuesday by Lt. John Hobbs with the Choctaw Nation Tribal Police, the investigation into missing money began on Oct. 20.

Hobbs reported that a track employee told racetrack security personnel on Oct. 2 that there was $120 missing from petty cash, and it was not the first time money had disappeared. The employee reported that $120 also disappeared on Sept. 18 or 19, but the employee had paid back that money herself. On Oct. 10, the same track employee contacted security because $20 was missing from her purse.

On Oct. 4, security was contacted to investigate over $550 missing from a locked filing cabinet.

During an interview with Hobbs, Harden allegedly confessed to stealing money and checks on various occasions from the track and from a track employee's purse on two occasions.

Harden also provided a written statement confessing to what she had done, according to the affidavit.

After speaking with Harden, track officials made arrangements for Harden to pay the money back.

As of Dec. 21, Harden had not paid any of the money back to the racetrack.

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