SPRINGDALE -- A Rotary Club member was arrested Thursday in connection with stealing $245,000 from the club.
A representative from the club reported to police she suspected Courtney Palfreeman, 40, stole and moved money from the nonprofit group's accounts for personal gain, according to a preliminary arrest report.
The Rotary Club reported concerns relating to irregularities in the club's financial records to the Springdale Police Department in July 2017 and began an internal investigation, according to a statement from the club Friday.
An audit, done from July 2017 to June 2018, found about $245,000 was missing from club accounts. The audit showed Palfreeman used the club credit card for personal use for $88,000 and forged names on club checks, bank records and financial records, according to the report.
Palfreeman turned herself into Springdale police and was arrested in connection with theft, fraudulent use of a credit card and forgery.
Her address was listed as 2217 Taylor Road in Weatherford, Texas, on the police report. Her address is listed as 5130 Dover St. in Springdale on the Arkansas Registered Voters database. Washington County Assessor's Office records show Jon and Courtney Palfreeman sold the Dover Street home in July 2017 for $389,900.
Palfreeman was released Thursday afternoon from the Washington County Detention Center on $2,500 bond.
Palfreeman is listed as the principal officer for the club on website Guidestar.org, which is a nonprofit group collating information about philanthropy and charitable organizations.
Palfreeman was a member of the Rotary Club of Springdale from February 2003 until August 2017, and served as executive secretary/executive director from April 2005 until July 2017, according to the club. She also served as community relations director for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Arkansas in the early 2000s, according to previous published reports.
The Rotary Club of Springdale, with nearly 200 members, is active locally and globally providing service in many areas, according to its website.
"We are deeply saddened by Ms. Palfreeman's actions which led to her arrest, but we are committed to continuing the good work in Springdale and around the world that our club has been engaged in since 1925," according to the club's statement.
NW News on 07/07/2018