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March 4, 2005 > News > Warrant issued in Thresher theft case

Warrant issued in Thresher theft case

By Jenny Rees | Thresher Editorial Staff

Former Thresher business manager Polly D’Avignon has been charged with stealing more than $5,000 in Thresher funds.

After hearing the evidence in the case, a grand jury indicted D’Avignon Feb. 25, Harris County Assistant District Attorney Spence Graham said. Theft valued between $2,000 and $20,000 is a state jail felony and carries a penalty ranging from 180 days to 2 years in a state jail and the potential of a fine up to $10,000, Graham said.

D’Avignon declined to comment.

Graham, who will prosecute the case, said a warrant has been issued for D’Avignon’s arrest, and a date for the initial hearing will be set once an arrest is made.

D’Avignon, who was a Jones College senior in the fall, is not currently enrolled at Rice. After matriculating in 1999, she worked for the Thresher from August 2001 to October 2004.

The money was taken through a series of seven unauthorized credits to a credit card between early August and late October 2004. Student Media Adviser Jen Cooper (Will Rice ‘90) noticed the missing funds, totaling $5,288, during a routine audit in late November.

Assistant Dean of Student Judicial Programs Don Ostdiek declined to comment on whether there is a case related to the missing funds in Student Judicial Programs.

In January, the Thresher filed a claim on the insurance policy it carries against employee dishonesty by the business manager. The provider, Fidelity and Deposit Co. of Maryland, acknowledged receipt of the claim but has not yet reimbursed the Thresher, University Risk Manager Renee Block said.

Block said the company’s investigation may take up to eight weeks.

“Sometimes it takes a little bit of time to go through the process,” Block said. “Hopefully, by the end of the semester, we will hear something back relative to the recovery.”

The organization is insured for up to $9,000 and has no deductible.

Thresher Co-Editors In Chief Lindsey Gilbert and Jonathan Yardley declined to comment on the case.

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