SMITH COUNTY, Tenn. — Forget company holiday bonuses; one Elmwood, Tennessee woman allegedly had a unique take on employee benefits, racking up over $250,000 in expenses on her employer's dime. Move over, frequent flyer miles – Kitty Rena Smith, 60, looks to have earned herself a loyalty program with the Smith County Grand Jury instead.
As it turns out, Smith allegedly managed to keep this "business expense" scheme running for eight years. Eight. Years. It’s practically a masterclass in how to stay under the radar while treating yourself to countless restaurant outings and personal travel. Who needs a financial planner when you have your boss’s credit card?
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, clearly unimpressed with Smith's creative budgeting, dug into the matter after a request from 15th Judicial District Attorney General Jason Lawson. Working with Carthage Police, agents connected the dots and found that Smith, as an office manager for a Carthage business, wasn’t exactly channeling her inner Dave Ramsey.
The Smith County Grand Jury took little convincing and handed down an indictment for one count of theft over $250,000. Smith surrendered to authorities at the Smith County Jail and promptly posted a $10,000 bond – a steal, considering the alleged amount she is accused of siphoning over the years.
Residents of Elmwood, where everybody knows your name (and now your mugshot), are undoubtedly abuzz over the news. With a population of just 1,425, it’s safe to say the town has its new dinner-table conversation starter.
As for Smith? Well, her next trip might be a little longer-term – perhaps to a place with orange uniforms and free meals, courtesy of the state of Tennessee. But for now, she is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Source: TBI
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