Former Morton clerk-treasurer accused of stealing nearly $1 million

The former clerk-treasurer for the city of Morton in Lewis County is accused of stealing nearly $1 million from the city over nine years.

Tamara Clevenger faces a federal wire fraud charge. She served as the clerk-treasurer for Morton from 2012 to 2022. In 2024, the Washington State Auditor “uncovered years of embezzlement totaling $937,584,” according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office Wednesday.

“I commend the State Auditor’s Office for their good work on this case,” Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller said. “It is critical that all of our government entities have multiple safeguards in place to prevent the theft of hard-earned taxpayer dollars.”

Former Morton clerk-treasurer allegedly stole cash used for city services

Prosecutors said that between November 2015 and December 2021, Clevenger stole at least $311,727 in cash that people brought in to pay for city services.

“In some instances, she would write a check from one city account to another to conceal the theft of the cash. She also made unauthorized cash withdrawals with the Morton ATM card,” the release said. “Between February 2013 and December 2021, Clevenger allegedly stole at least $625,857 by writing checks to herself and depositing them in her bank account.”

In some cases, Clevenger allegedly used checks that had been pre-signed by the mayor for emergency situations. Prosecutors also said she used fake vendor invoices.

“Clevenger’s actions used interstate wires to commit the fraud with the transfer of funds between various bank accounts,” the release said. “One example is the transfer of $5,808 in funds from Washington to Umpqua bank servers located outside the state.”

After the 2024 audit, the city of Morton established new procedures. Now, no single person has control over the city’s various banking functions.

Wire fraud is punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Clevenger is expected to enter a plea to the charge next month.

Follow @FrankLenziKIRO