Former Echo Housing Executive Director Indicted On Theft

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An Evansville woman who formally worked as the Executive Director at Echo Housing Corporation has been indicted on three counts of theft.

The indictment against Stephanie Tenbarge stems from allegations that she had been stealing funds entrusted to her as Executive Director over a three year period.

The release states that from January 1, 2015, through December 31, 2017, TenBarge is alleged to have embezzled funds from Echo Housing Corporation by making unauthorized payments to herself, using Echo funds to pay for personal goods, services, and property taxes, and issuing unauthorized payroll checks to herself. During this time period, the Echo received federal funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the U.S. Department of Justice, and the U.S. Department of Labor.

Officials say TenBarge had the primary responsibilities of bookkeeping, balancing bank statements, and preparing financial reports and records for Echo’s Board of Directors to approve. TenBarge maintained and controlled the Echo’s checking accounts and had the ability to direct funds from the organization’s accounts to herself and other individuals.

“The alleged actions of Mrs. TenBarge, using her official position for personal gain, grossly undermines the honest work being done every day by public officials,” said Grant Mendenhall, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Indianapolis Division. “Working with our law enforcement partners to investigate public officials who commit federal crimes and victimize the people they should be serving, is one of the FBI’s highest criminal priorities.”

According to Assistant United States Attorney Kyle Sawa, who is prosecuting this case for the government, TenBarge faces up to 10 years for each count if convicted.

Echo Housing released the following statement upon the release of this information which can at the link provided: ECHO-HOUSING-STATEMENT.

FOOTNOTE: This is a developing story and the City-County Observer will provide up-sate soon as they become available.

 

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4 COMMENTS

  1. Wow. It’s hard to believe that well over a year have come and gone since the community became aware of the missing funds of ECHO Housing. What’s more astonishing was the how quickly Kelly Courses public support of Ms. Tenbarge evaporated. Apparently, Mr. Courses was so impressed by Ms. Tenbarge leadership and business skills that he nominated her for the prestigious Athena Award.

    Another interesting element is the fact that the Evansville DMD Director Kelly Courses gave a nice sum of our tax dollars to ECHO for the purpose to operate the “Jacobville Join-in” organization with the sole purpose to promote the Noth Main Street arewa. “Jacobville Join In” closed down operations shortly after the alleged missing funds at ECHO Housing was made public. I consider the closing of “Jacobville Join In” to be a developing story!

  2. She needs to lose her house also beings taxes were paid with ill gotten gains,in other words she hasn’t paid taxes with her money in 3 years

    • In such cases aren’t the ones who receive the illegal benefits required to give back the money? That audit on another article is full of transactions where the Tenbarge woman passed money on to others. What it doesn’t say is who the others were. That needs to be disclosed.

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