School worker indicted for stealing $219K over 10 years

Published 10:03 am Monday, May 6, 2019

A Clark County school employee was charged with taking more than $219,000 in cash from a student activity fund over the course of 10 years.

Dixie L. Rigney, 61, was indicted Thursday by the Clark County grand jury on nine counts of theft by unlawful taking over $10,000 and one count each of tampering with physical evidence and second-degree forgery.

According to the indictment, the thefts allegedly occurred between July 2010 and January 2019 from the George Rogers Clark High School student activity fund. The indictment did not list specific amounts or dates for the incidents.

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According to Kentucky State Police, Rigney would forge receipts and give them to club leaders to hide the thefts. Police allege Rigney did this over the course of a decade, which totaled more than $219,000.

Clark County Public Schools Superintendent Paul Christy said Friday he was aware of an ongoing investigation involving an employee but could not comment about employees.

“It’s still in the hands of law enforcement,” Christy said.

A warrant was issued for Rigney’s arrest with a $25,000 bond. She was arrested Friday and lodged in the Clark County Detention Center.

The grand jury also indicted a Clark County man, whose wife was killed by their dog, for not reporting a previous dog bite.

Christopher Dale Collins was indicted for one count of physicians to report person bitten by dogs, which is a violation with a maximum fine of $100. The grand jury dismissed a wanton endangerment charge against Collins.

Collins’ wife April died Nov. 2, 2018, a day after she was attacked in their home by their dog. Police said the dog also attacked April Collins on Sept. 29 and Oct. 31. While the Sept. 29 bite was reported, the Oct. 31 incident was not.

State law requires that authorities be notified within 12 hours of a dog bite, whether by medical personnel or other people.

The dog was placed in the custody of the Clark County Animal Shelter.

The grand jury returned the following indictments

— Stanley L. Primm, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance (six counts), first-degree persistent felony offender.

— Elmer Hale, harassment (misdemeanor).

— Tyler Abner, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, first-degree fleeing or evading police.

— George Harris III, first-degree burglary.

— Ashley N. Harley, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, first-degree persistent felony offender.

— Casey J. Larrison, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a handgun by a convicted felon, carrying a concealed deadly weapon, first-degree robbery, second-degree persistent felony offender.

— Christopher C. Galloway, first-degree bail jumping, second-degree persistent felony offender

About Fred Petke

Fred Petke is a reporter for The Winchester Sun, the Jessamine Journal and the State Journal. His beats include cops, courts, fire, public records, city and county government and other news. To contact Fred, email fred.petke@bluegrassnewsmedia.com or call 859-759-0051.

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