Former Velda City Treasurer Indicted for Stealing Approximately $400,000 in City Funds, and Stealing

[TexasTowelie]

Former Velda City Treasurer Indicted for Stealing Approximately $400,000 in City Funds, and Stealing Approximately $150,000 from a Charity


St. Louis, MO –Venita Sedodo, 32, of St. Charles, Missouri, was indicted by a federal grand jury on four counts of wire fraud related to her former position as Treasurer of Velda City, Missouri, and four counts of mail fraud related to her former position as Trust Secretary for the Travelers Protective Association of America, Scholarship Trust for the Hearing Impaired.

According to the Indictment, Sedodo served as the Treasurer for Velda City, Missouri. From November, 2015 through October, 2018, Sedodo schemed to steal approximately $400,000 from the city. During that time, Sedodo issued approximately 90 unauthorized Velda City checks to herself, which she deposited into several of her personal bank accounts. Sedodo spent the stolen funds on personal items and services such as clothing, automobile payments, as well as making numerous cash withdrawals. Sedodo also issued unauthorized Velda City checks directly to a number of businesses to pay for personal items and services. Further, Sedodo made numerous unauthorized ACH wire transmissions of funds from Velda City bank accounts to pay for personal items and services at businesses such as BMW, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Commerce Bank to pay off charges on her personal credit cards. Altogether, Sedodo’s fraud scheme netted her approximately $400,000 in funds stolen from Velda City.

Sedodo was also employed as the Trust Secretary for the Travelers Protective Association of America, Scholarship Trust for the Hearing Impaired (“TPA Scholarship Trust”). This is a charitable organization which provides financial aid to individuals with deafness or hearing deficiencies. From June, 2014, through January, 2019, Sedodo submitted false and fraudulent grant applications for her family members and friends to the charity’s Board of Trustees. These grant applications falsely claimed that the individual applicants suffered from deafness or hearing impairment, and Sedodo created and submitted along with the applications false audiograms and audiological evaluations. Sedodo did not advise the Board of Trustees that the individual applicants were her family members and friends. Once the Board of Trustees unwittingly approved the grant applications, Sedodo processed and issued checks to the individual applicants, who then cashed the checks and split the proceeds with Sedodo. None of the grant funds were used for legitimate health care or treatment related to deafness or hearing impairment, but were used by Sedodo and her family and friends for their own personal use and expenses. Sedodo obtained approximately $156,100 from TPA Scholarship Trust through her fraudulent scheme.

If convicted, as to each charge Sedodo faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Restitution is also mandatory.

Read more: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edmo/pr/former-velda-city-treasurer-indicted-stealing-approximately-400000-city-funds-and

[Sherman A1]

1. It used to be called Velda Village

I believe it merged with Velda Village Hills at one point to reach the level of a 4th class city by state regulations, that is where I grew up.

[TexasTowelie]

2. Aack,

news from home and it isn't good news either.

[Sherman A1]

3. Not that big a deal

And hardly a surprise. It’s one of a plethora of municipalities in st.louis county. Some are good at what they do and others less so. The immediate area pops up every now and then with some corruption or scandal.

Hope this charming individual gets to spend a considerable time as a guest of the penal system and pays back every dime they stole from the people there.

[The Genealogist]

4. I had to look this one up

I fear I am terribly unfamiliar with the St Louis area's towns.

[Sherman A1]

5. It wasn't much of a town

Just a bunch of brick bungalows built in the 1930s if I remember correctly. The City Hall for Velda Village was a Barber Shop when I lived there growing up. Used to get my haircut at the place, then the guy retired and the Village absolutely needed a City Hall rather than hold their meetings in one of the Trustee's basements, so it was off to the races. Mostly Velda Village was a speed trap along the main road at the edge of the village limits.