Acting United States Attorney Kevin E. VanderSchel today (Wednesday), announced the return of an indictment stemming from an investigation into the misappropriation of city funds and burning of a community building in Casey, Iowa. The indictment charges Dorothy L. Dillinger, the former Casey City Clerk, with five counts of mail fraud for her role in a scheme to defraud by using the City’s credit card to purchase items for personal use.

The indictment also charges Dillinger with one count of malicious use of fire for the fire that destroyed the Casey Community Building, which housed the City Clerk’s Office. The Community Building fire was set just prior to midnight of August 19-20, 2014. Personnel from the State Auditor’s Office were scheduled to arrive at the Clerk’s Office on the morning of August 20, 2014, to conduct an audit of the City’s records following a successful petition drive by citizens of Casey seeking an audit.

The joint investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, State Fire Marshal Division of the Iowa Department of Public Safety, Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office, Guthrie County Attorney’s Office, and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

An initial appearance and arraignment have been scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on November 30, 2015, at the United States Courthouse in Des Moines. In accordance with the Iowa Rules of Professional Conduct, the public is reminded that an indictment is merely an accusation, and that the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. Additionally, because this matter is pending in the United States District Court, the United States Attorney’s Office does not anticipate making any further comment or statement at this time.