School embezzler forced to repay more than $1M
School embezzler forced to repay more than $1M

By Sheila Stogsdill

Published: July 19, 2008

MARBLE CITY — In a rare case of a large-scale embezzlement victim made whole, the Marble City School District received more than $1 million in restitution, courtesy of its former superintendent.

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Sheldon J. Sperling, U. S. attorney for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, delivered checks totaling $1,088,948 to school board President Ramon Bolin.

The restitution funds were paid by Larry Couch, former Marble City superintendent. Couch, 55, of Vian, pleaded guilty in May to embezzlement of government funds, making and subscribing a false tax return and a forfeiture action seeking $979,000.

Sperling said the school is reimbursed both for the financial loss and for the payment of costs previously paid to the state of Oklahoma for the costs of investigation.

The plea agreement provided for the U.S. government to seize properties until the total amount of the criminal forfeiture, $979,000, was paid. In addition to paying the school, Couch also paid the Internal Revenue Service $70,000.

"This proceeding renders the Marble City School District as whole as prosecutors can,” Sperling said. "If there's a silver lining here, it's that the embezzled money wasn't blown at a casino or race track or on something that sparkles, burns gas and depreciates.”

A state audit covering almost a decade beginning in 1998 shows Couch used a defunct school organization to launder money to buy land and pay for other expenditures related to a farming operation. Auditors think Couch concealed school funds totaling $948,202.35.

Persistence pays off

Sperling said that without the persistence of Bolin and his sense of duty to his community and county, these crimes may have gone forever undiscovered.

"Many of us are too familiar with the adage ‘justice grinds slowly,'” said Jerry Moore, district attorney. "It's nice, rewarding, to be a part of a collective effort that can move a case of this magnitude to this point in just over a year.”

Federal prosecutors, the FBI, the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Division, and the state auditor's office did an excellent job with a mountain of work, Moore said.

Couch faces imprisonment not to exceed 13 years, a fine not to exceed $500,000, and a supervised release term of up to three years. He remains free on bail awaiting sentencing.

Couch resigned from his post in April after being suspended in November.

Related Topics: Crime, Politics, Trials, Embezzlement, Criminal Trials, Local Politics