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Embezzler Anna M. Naukam shows no remorse
NOLAN CLAY and ANN KELLEY
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Published: September 5, 2009
Oklahoman
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An embezzler pleaded guilty Friday, but she never said in court she was sorry for stealing funds meant to help abused and neglected children.
Anna M. Naukam, former executive director of the
Oklahoma CASA Association, instead talked about herself when the judge pressed her to show remorse.
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EFFECT ON CASA
The interim Oklahoma Court-Appointed Special Advocates Association executive director, Sheryl Marseilles, said the embezzlement case doesn’t appear to have damaged the group’s reputation. She said last month it received a grant from a local corporation and unexpected donations.
Attorney General Drew Edmondson said: "Instead of turning people away from CASA, I hope this case will inspire Oklahomans to stand up for the kids of their community and support their local CASA program with both their time and their money. I’ve worked with CASA volunteers and programs for years, and I fully support the organization and its mission.”
"It’s cost me,” she said, standing before the judge in handcuffs and orange jail clothes. "It’s been a very difficult thing to live with. I’m ready for it to be over.”
She was ordered to spend 15 years in prison, 20 years on probation and pay $549,024 in restitution. That punishment was the outcome of a plea agreement between her, her attorney and the prosecutor, Assistant Attorney General Joel-lyn McCormick.
CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates. Volunteers speak out for children in family courts.
"There’s a lack of morality there. ... I’ve never seen her show any remorse,” McCormick said after the sentencing.
The judge also required her to pay $7,000 in fines and $6,705 to the state Crime Victims Compensation Fund.
"You brought this on yourself,” Oklahoma County District Judge Kenneth Watson said.
The state multicounty grand jury indicted Naukam, 51, and her husband, Eugene M. Naukam III, 64, in August. They lived in Edmond.
She has been in jail since Aug. 20.
Grand jurors alleged the Naukams misused CASA credit cards to pay for their everyday expenses and such things as vacations in Mexico, cosmetic breast surgery, Texas Tech University football tickets,
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