A former clerk in the McDonald County Prosecutor’s Office accused of stealing was expected back in court today for a final proceeding before her trial starts on April 20.
Tammy R. Young, 42, of Goodman was expected to appear in court at 1 p.m. this afternoon before Presiding Judge Timothy Perigo for a pre-trial conference. The proceeding is the last scheduled courtroom session before trial begins April 20. The proceeding will be held in the McDonald County circuit courtroom.
Young allegedly told co-workers at the McDonald County courthouse she had been diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma, a rare form of cancer that affects the bones and soft tissues, most commonly the pelvis, femur, humerus and ribs.
According to a probable cause affidavit filed by McDonald County Sheriff Robert Evenson, Young told co-workers she was being treated at Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Tulsa, Okla., and at St. John’s Regional Medical Center and Freeman Health Systems, both located in Joplin. She told co-workers she’d been diagnosed with the disease in February 2008.
“In reliance upon Ms. Young’s assertions, her co-workers and employees of the McDonald County Circuit Court did endeavor to assist her in her financial needs through two fundraisers,” wrote Evenson in the affidavit. “Ms. Young actually participated in these fundraising events. Ms. Young sent out letters of solicitation for funds. She also assisted in the solicitation of items for a silent auction to be held for her benefit. Ms. Young also designed T-shirts to be worn by her and her co-workers at her fundraisers.”
The fundraisers, held April 30 and May 16 of last year, netted about $10,000 for Young.
In July, Young was fired from the prosecutor’s office, and appeared before the McDonald County Commission on Aug. 4 to protest her termination, Evenson said in his affidavit. At that time, she told the commission she was receiving regular treatment for Ewing’s Sarcoma from Cancer Treatment Centers of America’s Tulsa facility. Evenson wrote she also said she’d collected all of her treatment records from the Tulsa hospital so she could complete Family Medical Leave Act paperwork.
“When copies of that paperwork were requested by the McDonald County commissioners, Ms. Young told them that she had ‘taken it back to them,’ “ Evenson wrote.
“At the request of the McDonald County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, I did assist in several investigative subpoenas,” the sheriff said. “The returns on those subpoenas indicate Ms. Young has received no treatment at the Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Tulsa, Okla., St. John’s Health, Joplin, or Freeman Hospital, Joplin,” Evenson wrote. “Based on this, I did begin a series of attempts to contact Ms. Young. [She] could not name any physician who diagnosed her with cancer or name any facility at which she had ever received treatment. On Aug. 19, Ms. Young did admit to me in a telephone communication that she has never been diagnosed or treated for cancer in the United States.”
Young is being represented by C. Ross Rhoades, a Neosho attorney. Duane Cooper is acting as special prosecutor in the case, as Young’s former boss, McDonald County Prosecutor Janice Durbin, had to recuse herself from the case.
