By PAUL HAMMEL
Nebraska Examiner
LINCOLN — The head of the Sarpy County program that provides volunteers to advocate for kids in foster care was arrested Thursday night and charged with theft.
Paula Creps, director of the Sarpy County Court-Appointed Special Advocacy office, was charged with unauthorized use of a financial transaction device valued at $1,500-$5,000 and theft by deception.
A press release from Sarpy County said county officials became aware of theft allegations and “immediately” contacted the Sheriff’s Office.
The investigation, the release said, focused on Creps’ use of funds donated to the CASA program through a local nonprofit organization. The program’s website says it created a 501(c)(3) nonprofit called “Lift Up Sarpy County” to handle donations to the program, which supplement the $271,000 allocated by the county this fiscal year.
Creps was placed on leave following her arrest.
Corrie Kielty, executive director of the Nebraska CASA Association, said Friday that the finances of the Sarpy County program are overseen by the county board, and she had no information about the allegations.
Kielty, though, said she had spoken with county officials and been assured that despite the arrest, “our kids are being served and our volunteers are still being supported.”
The CASA association has 22 member program across the state, which serve 54 of the state’s 93 counties.
CASA programs line up volunteers to advocate in court for abused and neglected children in foster care to help find them a permanent home.