Seattle – Tamara Clevenger, the former Clerk-Treasurer for the City of Morton, Lewis County, faces federal charges over an alleged nine-year scheme to embezzle nearly $1 million. Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller announced the charges of wire fraud against Clevenger, who served in her position from 2012 to 2022. A 2024 audit by the Washington State Auditor revealed embezzlement totaling $937,584. Clevenger is scheduled to enter a plea next month.
Acting U.S. Attorney Miller commended the State Auditor’s Office for their role in uncovering the scheme, stating, “I commend the State Auditor’s Office for their good work on this case. It is critical that all of our government entities have multiple safeguards in place to prevent the theft of hard-earned taxpayer dollars.”
According to the charging information, between November 2015 and December 2021, Clevenger allegedly stole a minimum of $311,727. She reportedly misappropriated cash payments made by citizens and masked some thefts by writing checks between city accounts. In addition, she made unauthorized cash withdrawals using the Morton ATM card. Further inquiries revealed that, from February 2013 to December 2021, Clevenger allegedly wrote checks to herself totaling at least $625,857, utilizing checks pre-signed by the mayor intended for emergency use. She purportedly employed fake vendor invoices to disguise these transactions as legitimate city expenses. The fraudulent activities reportedly involved interstate wires through various bank account transactions, including a fund transfer of $5,808 from Washington to Umpqua Bank servers located out of state.
After the audit findings, Morton implemented new procedures to ensure no individual had sole control over banking activities. The criminal financial investigation involved collaboration between the FBI, IRS, and the Washington State Auditor’s Office.
While charges have been filed, it is emphasized that they remain allegations until proven beyond doubt in a court. The use of a criminal information indicates discussions regarding resolving the case may have taken place with the defendant's counsel.
If convicted, Clevenger faces a potential maximum sentence of twenty years in prison for wire fraud. The prosecution is handled by Assistant United States Attorney Amanda McDowell.
