Lake Charles, LA –
On June 7 Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office detectives received a report in reference to Richard J. Cole, Sr., 73, 1301 Bernadette Drive, Sulphur, stealing from a local nonprofit.
During the investigation detectives were advised by the complainant that they located numerous discrepancies on bank statements and expense reports in which Cole was responsible for as treasurer for the nonprofit. Detectives were also informed Cole wrote over $100,000 worth of checks to himself from the nonprofit account but was unable to provide documentation on what the checks were written for.
During further investigation detectives received information showing numerous payments on personal credit cards and accounts belonging to Cole were paid for with money from the nonprofit. The investigation revealed since January 2015 Cole stole over $367,000.
On January 20 Cole was arrested and booked into the Calcasieu Correctional Center and charged with theft over $25,000. He was released on a $75,000 ROR bond by Judge Tony Fazzio.
CPSO Detective John Melton is the lead investigator on this case.
An arrest is an indication that probable cause exists to believe the subject was involved in the offense alleged. A person is innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.