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Sarasota News Leader July 26, 2013 Page 67 MAN ARRESTED FOR STEALING FROM SCHOLARSHIP FUND The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office has arrested a former member of the Englewood Masonic Lodge for allegedly stealing more than $90,000 from the group's scholarship fund. The investigation began in May when Michael Cripps, 59, of 6463 Facet Lane, Port Charlotte, contacted the Sheriff's Office to report himself for the ongoing crime, a report says. "Detectives contacted the Lodge and learned Cripps was the sole person with access to the account," a news release says. "Financial records showed that since July 2007, Cripps has cashed checks and made unauthorized personal purchases totaling $92,563.70," the release adds. In one instance, according to the report, Cripps cashed an $8,000 check he had made out to himself. Additionally, it says Cripps opened a bank account in Punta Gorda, where he also deposited Lodge funds. He received a debit card for that account, the report notes, and used it on 386 occasions to charge $38,729.84 for gas, groceries and other items, including merchandise he purchased from Amazon. Michael Cripps/Contributed photo to Defraud and is being held on $50,000 bond, the release notes. This is at least the fourth arrest this year of someone who stole a significant amount of money from an employer, church or organization, the release points out. "We continue to warn business owners to institute procedures as simple as requiring two signatures on checks and ensuring monthly financial statements are Cripps turned himself in on the morning of reviewed by more than just the person responJuly 18. He was charged with felony Scheme sible for those funds," the release says. % QUICK TIP For the best viewing experience on a computer click the menubar to zoom to fullscreen mode. icon in the