Thursday 28th March 2024

An employee at a business in Sedalia who has been charged with felonies for allegedly forging the manager’s signature and cashing checks not meant for her that totaled more than $20,000 in 2017 is scheduled for a preliminary hearing this week.
A probable-cause statement says on April 28, the manager of Roto-Rooter reported to authorities that 37-year-old Nicole A. Sears, secretary for the business, had been cashing business checks at a bank that were not meant for her but made out to her. The total amount of nine checks cashed was $22,766.77.
Sears reportedly admitted to authorities that she cashed the checks and actually signed three of them. The others she said were pre-signed by the manager in the event a payment needed to be made while he was gone.
According to online court documents, Sears has been charged with Class D Felonies for Forgery and Stealing of $750 or more. Sears reportedly posted surety bond on May 19.
Sears, who was arraigned on August 7, is due for another hearing at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 2, at Pettis County Circuit Court in Sedalia.