The former manager of a Kearney greenhouse is facing charges related to a multi-year embezzlement scheme that allegedly amounted to $150,000.

Court records from the Clay County, Missouri Circuit Court, filed on February 26, reveal that 55-year-old Matthew J. Nelson, of Olathe, Kansas, has been charged with theft in connection to the scheme while managing the nursery in Kearney.

According to a probable cause statement from the Kearney Police Department, authorities were called to Marshall Trees and Nursery, located at 1100 N. Jefferson St., around 11 am on November 20, after reports of a theft. Upon arriving, the business owner claimed that Nelson had stolen over $150,000 between September 9, 2018, and September 13, 2024. Nelson allegedly wrote unauthorized checks to himself from the nursery's account and deposited them into his personal accounts.

Investigators discovered that Nelson manipulated the business’s bookkeeping system to make it appear as if the checks were paid to vendors. A subpoena revealed that a total of 71 checks had been cashed since 2018.

Nelson was arrested on January 7. During questioning, he confessed to the theft, explaining that he felt unappreciated by his employers and expressed guilt over his actions. He admitted to the crime in full.

Nelson now faces charges of stealing over $25,000. If convicted, he could be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison and face a $10,000 fine. A criminal summons was issued on Friday, and an initial court appearance is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on April 3. No additional details have been released at this time.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Patricia “Patty” A. Lamb, former Republican Election Director for Clay County, was arrested in Montana on felony charges of fraud and misuse of a county credit card. She is currently awaiting extradition back to Clay County.

A forensic audit uncovered over $15,000 in unauthorized expenses, including non-business charges, undocumented reimbursements, and extra payroll payments. Clay County Commissioner Jason Withington posted about the incident on his Facebook page:

“According to the probable cause statement, from fiscal year 2021 to fiscal year 2024, Lamb's County-issued credit card had a total of $8,126.51 in non-business-related charges, $1,336.00 in non-business-related mileage, a $200 petty cash payment with no supporting documentation, and, in 2022, she received a total of 28 paychecks, which was two more than she was entitled to. The additional paychecks totaled $6,278.40.”

Lamb was placed on administrative leave in 2023 and terminated in January 2024 after the audit results were reviewed. She had moved out of state before investigators could interview her.

The Clay County Election Board replaced Lamb with Interim Directors Heather Hall and Denise Hart. County officials, including Commissioner Jason Withington, expressed concerns over the loss of public trust and called for new appointments to the Election Board, whose terms have expired.

Clay County Auditor Victor Hurlbert sought reimbursement for the fraudulent charges and discovered the board had overestimated its census, resulting in overcharging the county by over $200,000. Hurlbert proposed that the county assume oversight of the Election Board’s finances to prevent further issues.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.