BLYTHE - After five years of watching the wheels of justice grind, Kathy Green was found guilty of two counts of felony grand theft by embezzlement in an Indio courthouse on Nov. 4.
Green, who in 2003 was the president of the Towne House Association and was employed at D&L Auto as a bookkeeper, pocketed over $62,000. As the president of the association, she was said to have taken $12,480 over a period of 11 months. During the same time she reportedly embezzled approximately $49,000 from Don and Larry Faulkner who own D&L Auto.
"This case was a terrible thing and very difficult," said Assistant District Attorney Tom Daly. "It was a case of betrayal. Betrayal of friends and betrayal of employers."
The prosecutor also noted that the actual money believed to have been stolen was more in the ballpark of $250,000 but that the proscution could only prove on paper the presented $62,480.
But that amount was enough for Daly, who tried the case in front of a jury, to request a special enhancement that may add another year to her possible sentence of three to four years, eight months.
"There was a noted lack of remorse on Green's part," said Daly.
Daly reported that during closing remarks, the public defender for Green admitted to the Towne House Association count but denied taking money from D&L Auto, stating that someone else actually committed the crime.
The prosecutor remarked that the crime was a very traumatic experience for the victims.
"It really affected them," said Daly. "It affected their retirements, their trust and their lives."
Daly said the best way to address the toll of the case for all those involved, is summed up in the words, "Justice delayed is justice denied."
Green was taken into custody immediately following the guilty verdict and remains in Indio County Jail awaiting sentencing on Nov. 24.
Reader Comments
Posted: Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Article comment by:
To All Posters
So either someone is impersonating a U.S. Senator or there is a public official wasting time putting his two cents in on a small town commentary in a very petty way. Please let me clerify that those were my own personal rules on the prison system and it's purpose. I find it a bit odd that you felt it necessary to make the statement that the woman in question "apparently" has shown no remorse. First, unless you were present at all of the hearings, I feel it is a little irresponsible of you to make such a statement. Second, if you are "innocent until proven guilty" and this woman maintained her innocence, then why would she feel the need to show remorse. Obviously she was found guilty and she will have to come to terms with that and deal with it. As for second chances, I was talking about the fact that we live in a very small town that some times results in small minds. I was simply trying to remind posters of the golden rule in hopes that they not lower themselves into being judgemental. As for my other responder, I am 100% posative I am not the only sinner, we all have sinned and fallen short of the glory....or whatever you believe. I don't think you could stand up to a lie decetor test. The real point that I was trying to make is that WE have all broken laws including me, and if we can be honest about that, even if it's only to ourselves since some of us are in denial, then we may find that we are more willing to not judge and concentrate on being the best versions of ourselves that we can be. As for my spelling, thanks for the correction.
Posted: Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Article comment by:
syndicate.coder
Concerned reader:
I have some questions for the Editor.
What prompted this investigation?
How did it go from $250,000 to only $62,480 is she that good? Or was D&L trying to pin some other stuff on her and use her as an escape goat?
Has the sales decreased in the valley and put D&L Auto in a finical hard ship prior to this?
Will the Towne House Association and D&L Auto be filing an insurance claim? If so:
Is D&L Auto going to try and recover the $250,000 from insurance or the $62,480?
Will D&L Auto be invested for fraud or extortion as well?
Has this case been passed on to the FBI for investigation as well as the IRS?
Who did the Auditing and are they competent?
Note: Once a crime is thought to be committed it needs to be reported and the potential evidence needs to be secured. A Forensic Analyst should be the only person doing an audit, that way the employer does not have the ability to adjust documents. If the employer does an internal investigation they have potentially contaminated the evidence, which then needs to be thrown out of court, or charges brought against Plaintiffs for evidence tampering and obstruction of justice.
“Two wrongs do make a right.”
Palo Verde Times editor, ask these questions and will you follow up?
This looks like a bigger case other than just “Kathy Green”
Wake up Blythe PD… There seems to be more of a story here…
http://www.us-cert.gov/reading_room/forensics.pdf
www.cybercrime.gov/ssmanual/ssmanual2009.pdf
http://www.aroundthecapitol.com/code/getcode.html?file=./pen/00001-01000/518-527
Posted: Monday, November 23, 2009
Article comment by:
FM HILL
I think the word you were trying to spell (to all posters) is regardless not reguardless. nice try though
Posted: Monday, November 23, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
Hey People, This women took money from every one that she work for in Blythe over the last 30 years.She was let go at more than one business. WAKE UP!.She is a long time thieve and it caught up with her.
Posted: Monday, November 23, 2009
Article comment by:
Re:To All Posters
Wow... you brought up a good and valid point TO ALL POSTERS!! You said we've all gone to a fast food joint and haven't paid! Huh?? Funny, maybe if we did it 45,232 times that might make it equal to the amount of money stolen. Just because you have taken a movie back to blockbuster without rewinding it doesnt mean we all have. Your the guilty sinner you silly goose.
Posted: Monday, November 23, 2009
Article comment by:
Sen. R.J. Flippi (D)
For "To All Posters" Apparently you are unfamiliar with the history of our criminal justice system to make the statement "To often we forget that the purpose of incarceration is first and foremost to REHABILITATE." Please note that word penitentiary (which the older prisons were called) is from the word penitence - the state of being penitent; regret for one's wrongdoing or sinning; contrition; repentance. I think regret for ones actions would fall under remorse. Apparently, this person has shown none. Now as to prison itself, their first and main concern is protecting the public by keeping the criminals out of the community until they have completed their term as prescribed by law. Rehabilitation is secondary and only if the criminal WANTS to be rehabilitated. Many just want to do their time and get out so they can go back to running with the homeys and running their games. As for giving second chances, maybe that might happen in this case when it goes back to the judge for sentencing, if she has no priors. Often tho, many of those already doing time were given second, third, and even fourth chances and they still didn't learn from their mistakes or didn't care. Lastly, as for forgiving her for her actions, that will be up to the victims. They may forgive but the system and society never forgets.
Now as to "No Name Provided" comments, the last time I looked in the California Penal Code, or even the Blythe City Code, it was not a felony or a misdemeanor to have spelling and grammar errors. Maybe your 6th Grade English teacher would have some issue with it, but still, it is not breaking the law. As to a total lack of morality, this can best be summed up in what this person did. Unless her parents, teachers, and the community as a whole, did not show her that theft of any size or nature is not acceptable in our society then we could make that the argument. But then, where does accountability for one's actions come into play?
Posted: Monday, November 23, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
Maybe if she admitted what she did and was truly sorry for hurting her friends(at least the victims thought she was their friend). This wasn't a one time thing. it went on for years. You probably think Bernie Madoff shouldnt go to prison either
Posted: Sunday, November 22, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
I am a little confused as to why this story made front page (IN COLOR) after five years?
I hear of women being accused of this all the time in Blythe but never ever seeing a write up on any of them. I know Kathy, My Son hung around she and her family in his earlier years, actually he still keeps in touch when John comes to town. Kathy made a bad decision that hurt others which is definitely not a good thing but I cant believe that we are accusing her of "probable amounts" Hell I think we should all have a raffle and who ever guesses the closest to the "Proven" amount wins. Thats about how unfair and ignorant this is. Everyone has there own reasoning for doing what ever they do in life good or bad. I say she needs some help with the issues that gave her the guts to even do this (if she did) 12,000 bucks in 11 mos from the condiminiums WOW they take in alot of money when I lived there they were always broke and that was before she worked there. Anyway I dont think Prison is the answer in this case she has been punished allready for the last five years I could bet you all the money we will pay to keep her locked up that she wouldnt ever do this again. I have to question the fact that all this $ shes accused of taking,Why the hell didn't she get a better Attorney hmmmm. To make a long story short Im not saying I condone all these accusations but come on shes human and has a very nice family and if its not right that she hurt others by commiting these unlawful acts then lets dont do the same by dragging this on and hurting them ourselves.
Posted: Sunday, November 22, 2009
Article comment by:
Charles Trenet
What a creepy looking woman. I think I saw her at Starbucks once... those squinty eyes """"""
Posted: Sunday, November 22, 2009
Article comment by:
To All Posters
To all of the self rightous posters who felt that had to add insult to injury in this matter let me just say this....WE ALL have seen both sides of the spectrum. We have been offenders and offendees. I am a firm believer that almost everyone is guilty of one legally punishable offense. Reguardless of the severity, a crime is a crime as one poster pointed out. For those of us who are able to post on here it just means we didn't get caught. If that is the standard that you wish to hold everyone to then it makes no difference wheather you drive 15 miles an hour over the speed limit or eat a meal on your break at a fast food restraunt without paying for it, it's a crime. Just because someone has never been prosecuted, it dosen't make it ok. So before you sit around in your little glass house throwing stones you better check out what's rattling away in your own closet first. If you don't even have the guts to put your name then dont pass judgement on someone else. Mind your own business and worry about your own life. If you feel so strongly that you know this woman and her character then I would suggest keeping the snide comments to a minimum as they make you seem petty and vindictive. We have a legal system for a reason, to pass judgment and punish those found guilty, so let it do it's job. To the victim and thier family, I hope that they can accept the outcome of our legal system and find the peace to move on. As for the family of the woman in question, I hope that they are strong enough to stand by her side as she pays her debt and tries to start a new path. To often we forget that the purpose of incarceration is first and foremost to REHABILITATE. If we refuse to give second chances we are admitting that the system doesn't work. We are all human and we all make mistakes and will be punished accordingly and that is all that matters
Posted: Saturday, November 21, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
After reading through all these comments I am struck by the spelling and grammar errors, and the total lack of morality in some of the respondents. Is it any wonder our community is in the condition it is in?
Posted: Friday, November 20, 2009
Article comment by:
See it like it really is
What a bunch of backward people stealing is stealing.Doesn't matter what kind of people the Faulkners are , it wasn't her money. Did she tell her kids it all right to steal.From what I know they were her friends. Wow!.Hey and maybe her niece can give Kathy her bank account number or better yet credit card. Ya she helped lots of people with other people money.This is what is wrong with the world today so she took a little money omg.Can you belive anyone would say that.She is where she belongs.Justify anyway you want but she did a crime and we have laws in this county and we all have to follow them.
Posted: Friday, November 20, 2009
Article comment by:
Zazu Zazalewski
Well whatever she did with the money and whatever she wears, now she'll have to do like that old saying "Put on your big girl panties and deal with it". In prison they'll give her 5 pairs of chonies anyway.
Posted: Friday, November 20, 2009
Article comment by:
whocares
WHOCARES...so she took a little money...who hasn't taken money from some one once in there life...theres nothing wrong with that...besides the faulkners are whack people anyway that had it coming...as for the niece of kathy your aunt sounds like cool peoples....but as for the white cotton underwear...WHOCARES!!!!...I would like to know which ones your wearing though...
Posted: Thursday, November 19, 2009
Article comment by:
'Nuf Said
Neice of Embezzler, If this had been perpetrated on your family and business, you would have quite different feelings about whose picture should be front page news! Maybe she is not a bad mommy, but she is one BAD MOMMA!
You have alot of audacity to dare to pile on to the true victims of her crime of felony grand theft. She did this willingly and repeatedly all the while smiling at her employer. Some thanks he got for giving her a job! Now, she needs to take her punishment, like a big girl. Responsibility and ownership of the deed appears lost on her and her family. She'll have plenty of time now on her sticky fingers to think about her bad decisions!
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