News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Simpson pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated theft in the embezzlement of $55,767.50 from the water company. She overpaid herself as the company's bookkeeper by an average of about $1,000 per month from January 1991 to August 1995.
According to prosecutor Steve Gunnels, Simpson is legally required by her plea agreement to pay back the entire amount, although the conditions of her probation only require a $100 per month payment. Gunnels said the water company may now act as a creditor to attach property or take other action to recover the money.
Simpson's attorney, Jon Springer, asked Judge Steven Tiktin to take into account Simpson's troubled background in imposing sentence for her crime.
"Ms. Simpson's life, though I don't think that she'd want me to describe it this way, is one that is sad and tragic in many respects," Springer said.
Springer told the court that Simpson's embezzlement began at the time an investigation was launched into child molestation charges against her stepfather, Eugene Cochran.
Cochran pleaded guilty to charges that between January and May of 1991 he subjected several Nason children to sexual contact by touching. Testimony was given that Cochran had a 45-year history of deviant sexual behavior that included his own stepchildren.
Simpson's therapist Julianne Fouts testified at the sentencing hearing that the case put enormous strain on Simpson, who, Fouts said, suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder.
"Nancy had exhibited many of the behaviors of PTSD," Fouts told the court.
Adding to Simpson's stress, Fouts said, was lack of community support for Simpson when she revealed her stepfather's history of sex abuse.
"Not many people from Sisters came out to support Nancy," Fouts said.
Fouts said that Simpson's psychological condition made it virtually impossible for her to work.
Bill Campbell, an accountant in Sisters, also testified on Simpson's behalf.
He said that "prior to this investigation (of Cochran), she was doing pretty well."
After the investigation began, Campbell said, "she was just very unproductive."
"She was pretty much just consumed with what was going on," Campbell testified. "I used to worry about her, whether she'd commit suicide."
Unable to work, Campbell said, Simpson succumbed to temptation and took what she needed to live on from the water company. He testified that if Simpson had wanted to cover up her theft she could have created billing invoices to do so.
"But Nancy couldn't lie about it," he said. "She had too much integrity."
Simpson spoke before the court.
"I feel literally ill with shame and remorse," she said. "And to say I'm sorry to the board and the people of Indian Meadow Water Company seems a little late and inadequate, but I am sorry.
"Whatever happens here today I can live with because I did wrong."
No representatives of Indian Meadow Water Company were present at the hearing.
Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.
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