Number of embezzlement cases down in Fremont County

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The number of embezzlement cases among Fremont County businesses is down some after the county saw a spike between 2007 and 2010. Fremont County Prosecuting Attorney, Brian Varn, says, historically, embezzlement was treated “lightly” and, accordingly, punishments tended to be lenient. Varn met with local businesses to reevaluate that approach, and the county now takes a more aggressive stance in court. Varn says the worst year was 2009, and even then there were cases that weren’t charged. “In discussion with all the local businesses embezzlement is a huge problem. The one year that we had the worst I think our totals were in excess of $325,000 on the embezzlement cases that we had locally.” Despite the drop in the number of embezzlement cases, Varn says there is currently a case open for $2.5 million.