JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The former clerk of the City of Winona has been charged with misappropriating a large sum of taxpayer money during her tenure in public office. The Missouri Attorney General’s Office filed a felony complaint in Shannon County against Terri Denton.
The charges allege that Denton was employed by the City of Winona between 2015 and 2017. During that time, Denton allegedly stole cash that had accumulated in the city’s vault and used it on personal expenses.
While conducting an audit, the State Auditor’s Office discovered that at least several that more than $42,000 from the city was missing and unaccounted for.
“The audit my office performed in Winona uncovered a serious violation of public trust in the abuse of taxpayer dollars,” State Auditor Nicole Galloway said. “As we have done many times before, we are partnering with law enforcement to get answers for citizens and hold corrupt public officials accountable.”
“Those who abuse their power will be prosecuted,” Attorney General Josh Hawley said. “The Public Corruption Unit is working to restore accountability in local government.”
The Attorney General’s Public Corruption Team is prosecuting the case with the assistance of the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Missouri State Auditor’s Office. The Attorney General’s Office was appointed special prosecutor at the request of the Shannon County Prosecuting Attorney because of a conflict.
Attorney General Hawley reminds the public that the charges against Denton are merely accusations and, as in all criminal cases, the defendant is presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty in a court of law.
Alisha Shurr was a reporter for The Missouri Times and The Missouri Times Magazine. She joined The Missouri Times in January 2018 after working as a copy editor for her hometown newspaper in Southern Oregon. Alisha is a graduate of Kansas State University.
