[MSN] Insider theft. Madera County District Attorney Ernie LiCalsi filed charges against a former office employee at the Fresno Flats Historic Museum for allegedly embezzling more than $70, 000.

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Charges filed in Fresno Flats embezzlement

By Denise Aday 

(Updated Monday, December 10, 2007, 11:27 AM)


Madera County District Attorney Ernie LiCalsi filed charges against a former
office employee at the Fresno Flats Historic Museum for allegedly embezzling
more than $70,000. 
 
With the theft of more than $70,000, volunteer David Backer said the Fresno
Flats Historic Park will have to cut expenses to the bone. The Flats is no
stranger to making do with what they have. The signs above the entrance to
the park were made by the late Earl Grady from a cedar tree that fell near
Backer's cabin in Dinky Creek. 
Photo by Elizabeth Gabriel:
http://www.sierrastar.com/news/story/14228361p-14756772c.html 
 

LiCalsi said charges of grand theft by embezzlement were filed Tuesday
against Danielle Hale, 41, of Coarsegold.

"We filed the papers with the court Tuesday, asking for a warrant," LiCalsi
said. "The judge will decide whether to issue a warrant or cite her in court
for her arraignment."

A statement from the Fresno Flats Board of Directors confirmed the missing
funds and said Hale had been employed from May 2005 to Oct. 16, 2007.

Bruce McNichols, president of the Sierra Historic Sites Association (SHSA),
said an examination of the nonprofit organization's records uncovered signs
of wrong doing. 

"The thefts are a significant and a potentially crippling blow to Fresno
Flats," McNichols said. "At this time, we are unsure if we have sufficient
funds available to pay our current obligations and basic operating
expenses."

"We notified the sheriff's department of the thefts Oct. 18, and the
authorities immediately began compiling evidence of the crimes," he said.

Fresno Flats volunteer Ray Edmondson said details of the incident are still
being uncovered and confirmed a criminal investigation is under way. 

In the meantime, life goes on at Fresno Flats.

Old buildings are in constant need of repairs. Classes are still scheduled
for tours.

Volunteer David Backer said the organization is using donations to pay
immediate operating expenses.

"We will have to delay planned renovations," Backer said. "However, our
immediate concern is to pay the propane, electric bill and the lease to the
county for the property. We have to keep the lights on."

The SHSA was organized in 1968 by Nathan Sweet, J. Frank Martin and Jack
Gyer. Gyer was the first president. Originally, the SHSA was organized to
seek out and identify historic sites in Eastern Madera County, however
before too long, the museum or historical park idea came into focus. 

Donations of antiques, artifacts and even historical houses followed and the
Fresno Flats Historical Park was born.

Monika Moulin, the first vice president of the organization, said she is
deeply saddened and angered by recent events.

"This individual has undermined and negated all the dedication and hard work
of so many volunteers," Moulin said, "as well as the generosity of our many
supporters in the local community."

Backer is disappointed. 

Pieces of a scale model of California Mill No. 2 at Nelder Grove are on
display in the gift shop, but Backer and other volunteers had planned a new
exhibit to house the entire model in one location. 

"The museum will close for January and February, as scheduled," Backer said.
"But we are still hoping to have a big event in March to show off the
Hawksworth exhibit. It is a fantastic model and needs to be seen to be
believed. Look for it at our grand opening in March."

Backer emphasized that school classes pay for their kids to come for tours
of the historic site, but basic utilities are still needed to continue the
education program. Backer's wife Beverly said she felt as if she had been
kicked when she was told about the theft.

"Donations from every Heritage Days event, every small fundraiser and even
small donations by people in the community have been wiped out by this
betrayal," she said.

However the couple was resolute.

"We are not going to let this affect any of us, except the fact that we are
going to have to work harder," Backer said. "We will have to cut expenses to
the bone, but we will make do."

His wife echoed the sentiment.

"In the long run, we are going to be OK," she said. "We will have to work
much harder, but we have a dedicated bunch of people down at the Flats. I
think some good will also come out of all this. The community is being
tremendously supportive and everyone is pulling together."

Dan Carter, executive director, of the Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau, said
the organization began looking for ways to help the Flats when it heard
about the embezzlement.

"We approved a letter to be sent to our partners in tourism," Carter said.
"Two of our past presidents challenged each of our partners to give $100.
Beyond that, we are trying to help them organizing donations and get the
word out about fundraisers." 

Backer said craftspeople will be at the Flats today, Saturday and Sunday
from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

"We still have a second weekend of Christmas in the Mountains starting
today," Backer said. "Christmas at Fresno Flats is a big piece of that. We
have a gift shop with books on the history of our area and donations have
never been more needed."

LiCalsi said he is seeing embezzlement cases more frequently in Madera
County.

"I think the increasing amount of technology has a lot to do with it,"
LiCalsi said. "If someone has a great deal of responsibility, they can keep
the theft from their employer for a long period of time, and the thefts can
be quite large."

Hale said she did not intend to hurt anyone.

"I did not take the job with Fresno Flats with any intention of this
happening," Hale said. "I felt honored to work there. I never wanted to hurt
anyone there, and I've never done anything like this in my past."

Hale, who said she has struggled with depression and bi-polar issues most of
her life, said she is getting professional help.

"I'm in counseling and trying to get help for depression, bipolar disorder,
compulsive spending and alcohol abuse," she said. "It felt like I was a
whole different person in a whole different time. It was out of desperation.
It felt like temporary insanity. It didn't feel like it was me doing it."

Hale said the money is gone.

"I spent the money - on my children, on clothes and probably on more
material things than I should have," Hale said. "But I'm going to try to
make restitution by whatever means I have; even if it is $25 a month for the
rest of my life."

LiCalsi said a conviction for grand theft by embezzlement carries a minimum
of felony probation. Probation conditions can include up to one year in the
county jail. He said a conviction could carry a maximum of three years in
state prison.

For information or to make donations to Fresno Flats, call (559) 683-6570.
The office is staffed by volunteers from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The museum is
open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekends. 

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