A former receptionist at the Tennessee State Veteran's Home in Murfreesboro, Tenn., has been charged with stealing almost $8,000 from money collected for pre-purchased meals from the home's cafeteria.
Marilyn Truss is charged with theft under $10,000 and making false entries in books or records, according to a statement from the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury.
Truss took money she collected from visitors and staff who pre-purchased meals from the Veterans' Home cafeteria, according to investigators. Truss admitted to taking some of the money for her personal use, falsifying accounting records and destroying receipts, officials said.
Authorities found that Truss was on probation from a conviction in Hamilton County on a charge of theft over $60,000, a crime that was unknown to her employers in Murfreesboro despite a background check.
The veterans' home now uses a different vendor for background checks, officials said.
Comptroller's investigators also noted $1,833 in questionable transactions related to residents trust accounts which Truss assisted in maintaining.
Additionally, investigators found that prescription drugs that should have come to the home were missing. Just before Truss resigned in August 2014, management found several opened and unopened mail pouches containing various prescription drugs located under her desk, according to officials.
A Rutherford County grand jury issued an indictment on March 9 charging Truss with the crimes.
"Many of the problems noted in this investigation could have been prevented with stronger accounting procedures and management oversight," Comptroller Justin P. Wilson said. "Our report also notes problems with the Veterans' Home purchasing process. I am pleased to see that management has taken steps toward correcting these deficiencies."
Go to http://www.comptroller.tn.gov/ia/ to view the investigation documents.