A former public administrator from Monroe County was sentenced Wednesday to prison for charges related to financial crimes, according to a news release from the Monroe County Prosecuting Attorney's Office.
Jessica A. Chase, of Paris, Missouri, was ordered to complete a 120-day Missouri Department of Corrections program followed by five years of probation for financial exploitation of a disabled person, felony stealing and filing false documents, according to the Monroe County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
Chase served as the public administrator of Monroe County from Jan. 1, 2021, to Feb. 7, 2023, according to the release. As the elected public administrator, Chase was appointed to serve as legal guardian and conservator for disabled persons, according to the release.
During her time as the public administrator, Chase stole around $23,000 from the custodial accounts of disabled persons under her care, according to the release.
An investigation was initially opened by the Monroe County Sheriff's Office following a criminal complaint from a ward under the care of Chase. According to the release, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Division of Drug and Crime Control and the Missouri Attorney General’s Office assisted in the investigation.
A federal civil investigation with the Social Security Administration is still pending, according to the release.
An insurance policy for the Monroe County Office of Public Administrator previously paid a settlement to the victims for the amounts taken from her wards. The judge ordered Chase to pay $12,000 in restitution for legal costs incurred by Monroe County.
"Jessica Chase violated her oath of office," Monroe County Prosecuting Attorney Nicole Volkert said in the news release. "She stole money from the most vulnerable people in our community."