Former CASA Employee Sentenced to 20 Years for Embezzlement

News9.com

OKLAHOMA CITY – A former employee of a state organization that aids children in the family court system was ordered to prison after pleading guilty to embezzlement.

Eugene Naukam, III, was sentenced to five years in prison and 15 years probation in Oklahoma County District Court on Monday.  Naukam pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit a felony and 41 counts of embezzlement.

Naukam was a special projects coordinator at the Court Appointed Special Advocate Association.  The association, known as CASA, is made up of volunteers appointed by judges to advocate for a child involved in the family courts or social service system.

Naukam's wife, Anna Naukam, was the organization's executive director. She pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit a felony and 148 counts of embezzlement in September.

"Naukam will also pay more than $148,000 in restitution, of which he has already paid almost $43,000," Attorney General Drew Edmondson said. "This money, coupled with the restitution CASA will receive from Naukam's wife when she completes her prison sentence, should make the organization whole. Unfortunately, it will take a significant amount of time for this debt to be repaid."

The Naukams were indicted by a Multicounty Grand Jury in August, on accusations that the couple spent about $500,000 in taxpayer and donated funds over a six-year period on clothing, home remodel work, football tickets, college tuition, cosmetic surgery, dental expenses, health club memberships, magazine subscriptions, veterinary bills and vacation expenses.

"CASA volunteers all across Oklahoma perform difficult work for the benefit of children," Edmondson said. "Anna and Eugene Naukam worked and schemed only to benefit themselves."

"Local CASA programs receive community support from generous individuals," Edmondson added. "The state board is under new management and I urge citizens to support their local program."

"As a result of this, our organization is stronger than its ever been before," said Sheryle Marseilles, Executive Director of Oklahoma CASA. "We've moved passed it".

More on News9.com:
- Former CASA Director, Husband Indicted on 152 Counts
- Former CASA Board Chairman Speaks Out About Director Accused of Embezzling $500,000