An Independence woman has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after stealing money from the Independence Mental Health Employees’ union, according to KWWL. Maureen Kimmerle pleaded guilty to Fraudulent Practice and Theft back on December 13th. She has now been ordered to surrender herself to the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office on Friday to begin her prison sentence. Kimmerle took nearly $72,000 while serving as the treasurer of the union from 2011 to 2016 and then as president from 2016 to 2020. Prosecutors say Kimmerle altered the union’s records in an attempt to hide her crime. In addition to her prison sentence she will also need to pay restitution.
