Former GPS payroll clerk charged with embezzlement

A routine payroll audit by Guthrie Public Schools has left a former school employee with a felony charge.

The formal charge was filed Wednesday in the District Court of Logan County against Linda Sue Campbell, who was once in charge of the school district’s payroll.

An internal audit this past November found Campbell had been paid approximately $8,300 more than was correct.

The audit found Campbell, who worked two years for the district, wrongfully appropriated money into her monthly paycheck. Multiple discrepancies were found beginning in December 2022 and going through October 2023.

Most of the incorrect payroll deposits were reported at $640.28 each month, but a wrongfully appropriated sum of $4,481.96 was found in Campbell’s account in October.

According to court documents, Campbell admitted to school officials multiple times that she had embezzled money because her family was having a rough time.

However, before coming clean, Campbell allegedly told school officials the overpayments were clerical errors by “fat fingering” the keyboard during data input.

In the end, Campbell said she had overpaid herself deliberately by putting in a timesheet as overtime.

Campbell, 41, of McLoud, resigned on Nov. 15, 2023.

A warrant for Campbell’s arrest was issued Wednesday with a bond amount of $7,500.

If found guilty, Campbell could face imprisonment in the state penitentiary for a term not more than five years, a fine not exceeding $5,000, and ordered to pay restitution.