FRANKFORT, KY (March 22, 2005) - Attorney General Greg Stumbo announced today that former Clinton County Deputy Sheriff, Cynthia Moreland, was sentenced this afternoon in Russell Circuit Court to one year imprisonment as part of her guilty plea to four counts of Theft by Failure to Make Required Disposition over $300.

Moreland’s guilty plea follows charges filed against her by Stumbo’s Special Prosecutions Division in January, 2005. The guilty plea was entered in the Russell Circuit Court following assignment of Russell Circuit Court Judge Vernon Miniard’s appointment as a Special Judge in the case.

Investigation into the thefts began in early 2004, after the Kentucky State Auditor’s office discovered public monies missing from accounts holding real property tax fees paid by Clinton County property owners to the Clinton County Sheriff’s office.

Following a criminal investigation conducted by the Kentucky State Police, it is alleged that Ms. Moreland, daughter of then Clinton County Sheriff Kay Riddle, stole more than $10,000 in property tax receipts which were paid to the Clinton County Sheriff’s office. In addition, she is alleged to have stolen more than $30,000 from the Clinton County Sheriff’s fee account by writing herself checks for monies to which she was not entitled.

“It is critical that the people of Kentucky have confidence in officials who are in positions of public trust,” Stumbo said. “This case presents yet another reminder that officials who violate the public trust by misappropriation of public monies will be held accountable.”

Under the terms of the plea agreement, Moreland was sentenced to one year imprisonment on each of the four counts of theft, to be served concurrently, for a total sentence of one year imprisonment. Moreland began serving her sentence in the Clinton County jail on February 25, 2005.

Moreland is required to pay restitution to the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office in the amount of $45,159.44. Moreland made an initial payment of $10,000 towards the required restitution after entering her guilty plea on February 22, 2005.

Moreland resigned from the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office in the summer of 2004. Her father, Clinton County Sheriff Kay Riddle resigned as sheriff effective October 1, 2004.