DATE: May 20, 2023
SUBJECT: Arrests Made in Burdette Park Investigation
RELEASE NUMBER: 2023-NR-0520
CONTACT: Lt. Doug Daza
AUTHORITY: Sheriff Noah Robinson
In December of 2021, the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office began an investigation into alleged missing funds at Burdette Park. Burdette Park officials contacted the Sheriff’s Office after a year-end accounting of the fees collected for the campground showed a discrepancy in the amount of money deposited and the amount of money that should have been collected. Specifically, it appeared as if payments made in cash were not deposited and were missing.
Scott Allen Thompson was employed by Burdette Park as the campground manager. As part of his employment, he and his wife Catherine Ann Thompson lived on property at the campground. During the course of the investigation, it was determined that Catherine took an active role in the management of the campground, including handling the intake and deposit of rental fees. Interviews with Burdette employees and an examination of Burdette Park’s records and receipt books showed an initial estimate of over $17,000.00 in missing money. All of the missing money was cash collected by the Thompsons for campground rentals. Both Thompsons declined to speak with Sheriff’s detectives. Scott Thompson did mention paying back the funds when first questioned by Burdette officials.
The Indiana State Board of Accounts was contacted and assisted in the investigation. They collected the relevant paperwork and conducted a forensic accounting of the campground’s records. On April 24, 2023 the State Board of Accounts issued their forensic report in which they found that only $965.00 of $21,941.97 collected in cash payments had been deposited, leaving $20,976.97 missing. This figure was based on a reconciling of the receipts and the amounts deposited. State Board of Accounts further found (based on records from prior years) that over $22,000.00 in additional funds should have been collected.
A case file was sent to the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office resulting in the issuance of a warrant for both Catherine and Scott. Each was charged with one count of Theft as a Level 6 felony. On May 15, both suspects surrendered themselves at the Vanderburgh County Jail. They were taken into custody and appeared in Vanderburgh County Circuit Court on May 16. The Thompsons each posted a $500.00 cash bond later that day and were released. The next court hearing is set for June 09.
Sheriff Noah Robinson wishes to thank the staff of Burdette Park, the Indiana State Board of Accounts, and the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office for their invaluable assistance during this investigation.
ARRESTED:
Scott Allen Thompson (pictured above), 58, of Goshen, KY. Theft as a Level 6 Felony
Catherine Ann Thompson (pictured above), 68, of Goshen, KY. Theft as a Level 6 Felony
Presumption of Innocence Notice: The fact that a person has been arrested or charged with a crime is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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