Auditor of State Rob Sand today (Wednesday), released a report on a special investigation of the Civil Commitment Unit for Sexual Offenders (CCUSO) in Cherokee, for the period August 1, 2019, through February 28, 2021. CCUSO is operated by the Division of Mental Health and Disability Services within the Department of Human Services (DHS) and is located on the campus of the Cherokee Mental Health Institute. CCUSO houses sexually violent predators from all ninety-nine Iowa counties.

The special investigation was requested by CCUSO and DHS officials as a result of alleged improprieties regarding actions taken by a former administrative assistant, Renae Rapp, which resulted in unauthorized payroll disbursements to her husband. Ms. Rapp’s husband was also previously employed by CCUSO. Sand reported the special investigation identified $61,610.66 of improper disbursements, including $52,618.19 of gross wages paid to Ms. Rapp’s husband and $8,992.47 of related payroll costs. The excess pay and benefits were a result of Ms. Rapp using her husband’s key fob and making manual adjustments to the payroll system to show he worked when he did not. The improper pay was electronically deposited to a bank account Ms. Rapp shares with her husband.

Sand recommended CCUSO officials implement procedures to ensure information recorded in the time keeping system is verified and accurate and adjustments to it are properly monitored. Sand also recommended CCUSO officials implement procedures to ensure compliance with requirements established by the Code of Iowa. Copies of the report have been filed with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, the Cherokee County Attorney’s Office, and the Attorney General’s Office. A copy of the report is available for review on the Auditor of State’s web site at https://auditor.iowa.gov/reports/audit-reports/.

(Radio Iowa) – Two separate accidents took the lives of two Marshalltown residents on Tuesday in Marshall County. The first occurred in the late afternoon as a vehicle driven by 72-year old Terry Stubbs crashed after passing several other vehicles on Highway 30 east of Marshalltown and crashed onto the gravel shoulder. Stubbs was transported to UPH-Marshalltown where he late died.

About three hours later, 59-year old John St. Clair was killed when he failed to navigate a curve on Luray Road in rural Marshall County. St. Clair’s vehicle rolled several times and he and his pick-up came to a rest in a farm field.

The Creston Police Department reports three people were arrested on separate charges, Tuesday. Authorities say 39-year-old Amanda M. Nelson, of Creston, was arrested at her residence on a charge of Theft in the 3rd Degree. She was taken into custody at around 9:15-a.m. and transported to the Adams County Jail, where her bond was set at $2,000. About an hour later, 35-year-old Michael Lakers, of Creston, was arrested at his residence for Criminal Mischief in the 5th degree. He was cited and released at the scene, on a Summons to Appear.

At the same time and place, 29-year-old Ryan M Johnson, of Creston, was arrested for Simple Assault. He was also cited and released at the scene, on a Summons to Appear.