Court Watching: School district says employee embezzled, but he got his job back

David Scott Fletcher was before 34th District Court Judge David Parrott on Jan. 6 after the Van Buren Public Schools complained he had committed embezzlement.
Fletcher took a plea deal, pleading no contest to a charge of “attempted embezzlement” and had immediate sentencing. He asked to plea no contest instead of guilty because of a “preliminary civil case,” according to his attorney.
The attorney said Fletcher already had given restitution, returning the items.
Fletcher explained he was terminated and had in his possession a pager, work shirts, and keys. Reports said he was fired for driving a school vehicle while on prescription medication for a health problem.
His attorney said Belleville Police Cpl. Kris Faull was called in to get the items from him. Fletcher said he was confused and thought he could keep the items until his arbitration case was decided.
It turns out he won at arbitration and is going back to work at the school district.
Judge Parrot sentenced Fletcher to pay $495 in fines and fees and to take an Economic Crime Course on line.
If Fletcher has no further legal problems in the next three months, the charge will be dismissed.
Present in the courtroom for the case were Van Buren Public Schools Director of Buildings and Grounds James Williams, Cpl. Faull, and Belleville Cpl. Todd Schrecengost.