Former Kennett City Clerk charged with stealing $79,266 from city

KENNETT, Mo., (KBSI) — Leslie Osorio, 37, of Paragould, Arkansas, has been charged with stealing from the City of Kennett, where she previously worked as a deputy city clerk.

The charges stem from a fraud investigation conducted by the Missouri State Auditor’s Office, which found that Osorio allegedly stole $79,266 from the city.

The investigation revealed that Osorio overpaid herself and her husband, added and paid herself excess vacation leave, failed to withhold money from her paycheck for benefits, and made improper purchases using city funds.

The investigation was prompted in 2022 after the city discovered that Osorio’s 2021 Form W-2 reported more than $140,000 in wages.

Prosecutor Nicholas Jain noted that the State Auditor’s Office did not conduct a full audit of the city but rather investigated whether Osorio committed fraud.

Osorio was arrested on February 19 and posted a $45,000 surety bond.

Jain cautioned that the charges are merely allegations, and that Osorio is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol conducted the investigation.