KMXT 100.1 FM Public Radio in Kodiak, Alaska
A Kodiak resident has been charged with allegedly embezzling nearly three-quarters of a million dollars from the state.
According to state troopers, Chona Agtarap may have stolen 724,000 dollars while working for the State of Alaska Health and Social Services Division of Public Assistance.
Last week, the Alaska Bureau of Investigation received a report that the 37 year old Agtarap may have stolen the money from the state over the course of five years while she was working as a regional case reviewer in Anchorage.
An investigation led to the arrest of Agtarap who worked in Anchorage and travelled on weekends to her home in Kodiak. The investigation determined that she issued new state treasury warrants to herself under a slightly different name and then mailed the checks to a post office box in Kodiak. The checks were then deposited into several accounts at two local banks. Investigators conducted interviews in Juneau and analyzed computer records for evidence. Agtarap was interviewed Wednesday at her office, which is located in the Frontier building in Anchorage.
On Thursday, a search warrant was obtained that resulted in the seizure of property in Kodiak.
The spokesperson for the Alaska State Troopers is Megan peters:
— (State Worker "It was discovered … troopers in Anchorage")
The office of Special Prosecutions and Appeals is prosecuting the case. Agtarap is charged with three felonies: theft, fraudulent use of an access device and scheme to defraud.
