Former Yolo County CASA director arrested on suspicion of theft, embezzlement

Former Yolo County CASA director arrested on suspicion of theft, embezzlement
By JAMES NOONAN / Daily Democrat
Created: 08/13/2010 02:32:09 AM PDT


A wooden sign in the shape of a child in Heritage Park in Woodland, advertising a child in need of a court-appointed special advocate. (Deo Ferrer/ Democrat)
Despite a breaking scandal regarding embezzlement charges levied against their former executive director, representatives from Yolo's Court Appointed Special Advocates will continue their work undaunted.
"The real heart of this organization is our volunteers," said Mary Patricia Whelan-Miille, vice president of Yolo CASA's Board of Directors. "We're going to keep going and we'll get through this. We're determined that this will not reduce the function of our organization."

Acting on a tip from the CASA officials, Woodland police arrested the nonprofit's executive director, Claudean Medlock, 54, of Carmichael, on Wednesday.

Accusations against Medlock include embezzlement, burglary and grant theft.

According to police, Medlock -- who had served as executive director since July 2009 until being removed after the allegations surfaced -- had been using her company debit card to make numerous withdrawals from CASA's account between April and July this year.

The stolen money was allegedly being used to gamble at four casinos in the region.

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