The former Clerk-Treasurer of Morton, Washington, Tamara (Tammy) Clevenger, has pleaded guilty to wire fraud in a scheme that lasted nine years and involved the embezzlement of nearly $1 million from city funds. The announcement was made by Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller. Clevenger held her position from 2012 to 2022, and an audit conducted by the Washington State Auditor in 2024 revealed the misappropriation of $937,584.
Court records and the plea agreement indicate that between November 2015 and December 2021, Clevenger stole at least $311,727 in cash payments made by citizens for city services. She concealed these thefts by writing fraudulent city checks equivalent to the stolen amounts and also made unauthorized cash withdrawals using the city's ATM card.
Further investigations showed that from February 2013 to December 2021, Clevenger embezzled at least $625,857 by writing city checks to herself. These checks were pre-signed by the mayor for emergencies but were instead deposited into her personal bank account. To cover up these transactions, she created fake vendor invoices suggesting legitimate city expenses. Her fraudulent activities involved interstate wire transfers of funds between different bank accounts; one such transfer involved $5,808 moving from Washington to Umpqua Bank servers outside the state.
In response to the audit findings, Morton implemented new procedures ensuring no single individual could control all banking functions.
Clevenger has agreed to repay the City of Morton and is credited with depositing $8,626 back into city accounts via ATMs. The FBI and IRS collaborated with the Washington State Auditor’s Office on this investigation.
Wire fraud carries a maximum penalty of twenty years in prison. Prosecutors have recommended a three-year sentence for Clevenger; however, U.S. District Judge Tiffany M. Cartwright is not obligated to follow this recommendation and may impose any lawful sentence after considering various factors. Sentencing is scheduled for July 7, 2025.
Assistant United States Attorney Amanda McDowell is prosecuting the case.