Facing accusations of taking money from his deceased mother-in-law’s bank account, Kendall’s onetime marshal recently was put on administrative leave from his Monroe County dispatcher position, according to the Monroe County Herald.
Richard Laxton, 51, along with his wife, Batina Laxton, 42, each were charged with four counts of misdemeanor theft after allegedly using a debit card and PIN to remove funds from Linda Talbert’s account after she died Nov. 28.
According to the Monroe County Herald, “The police department received a complaint from a State Bank of Sparta employee on Dec. 22 regarding possible fraudulent activities with Talbert’s account, as there had been recent withdrawals from the account. The employee identified the Laxtons on the bank’s ATM surveillence footage.”
The Social Security Administration had reclaimed a $911.42 deposit from Linda Talbert’s account, leaving a negative $1,300 balance.
Though Richard Laxton had been driving when the two withdrew $526.41 from the account in two ATM withdrawals and two convenience store purchases, Batina Laxton claimed that Richard Laxton did not know they were using her mother’s card.
Richard Laxton served as Kendall’s marshal from 2007 to 2014.
Monroe County will reassess his leave as the case progresses.