Water association vice president sentenced for embezzling more than $6,000 in Whatcom
The Wahl Water Association vice president will spend a month in jail for embezzling more than $6,000 from the association.
John Nicholas Murray, 35, pleaded guilty to one count of first-degree theft Jan. 2 in Whatcom County Superior Court and was sentenced to 30 days in jail, according to court records. Murray is eligible for jail alternatives, such as in- and out-of-custody work crews, work release and electronic home monitoring.
Murray also has to pay $6,067.23 in restitution to the association by Feb. 6, and $800 in court fines and fees. The Wahl Water Association serves an unincorporated portion of Whatcom County northeast of Bellingham along Smith Road.
Whatcom County Jail records show Murray was booked Tuesday, Jan. 21, to begin serving his sentence on electronic home monitoring.
In early March 2019, the treasurer of the association alerted the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office to the possible theft of funds from the association.
The treasurer told deputies that the association’s bank account showed 14 total unauthorized transactions — three of which were made at local retailers and the 11 others as ATM cash withdrawals, the court records state. The transactions were made between January and March 2019.
There are three board members and each had been assigned a debit card to the accounts. An investigation revealed the card used in all 14 transactions was authorized to Murray, the records state. In 11 of the transactions, Murray is seen on video using the card, one of the transactions he signed for and all of the ATM purchases required his PIN to make the withdrawals, court records show.
Both the president and treasurer of the water association told deputies there was no reason to have cash withdrawals and none of the 14 transactions were authorized. The shareholders all voted to pursue charges against Murray, court records state.
