On Feb. 10, Mary Lou Browning, former Coffey clerk, was sentenced to 15 years in prison following a guilty plea to the charges of forgery and stealing. At the sentencing, Browning received a 10-year and a 5-year sentence to be served consecutively, for a total of 15 years, plus two five-year sentences to run concurrently.
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Browning has a long history of stealing and forging documents. Before her arrest for stealing over $60,000 from the City of Coffey in 2018, Browning had similar charges filed against her in 2012 in Daviess County for embezzling money from two separate land title companies where she was employed. She was arrested in 2012 on two felonies and two misdemeanors of stealing and forgery. She served five years probation and five days shock jail time on each count and paid restitution.
After an audit by the State Auditor’s Office revealed more than $60,000 missing from the City of Coffey, an investigation ensued, and city hall further discovered missing funds and forged documents. Browning forged city meeting minutes to transfer money between accounts. She also issued numerous unauthorized paychecks to herself and failed to deposit nearly $34,000 worth of utility payments. She even credited $2,600 to her utility account.
Browning pled guilty on Nov. 9, 2020, to charges of stealing $750 or more, D felony, stealing $25,000 or more, C felony, and two charges of forgery, D felony.
Browning has a restitution docket hearing scheduled for Mar. 10 in Daviess County.