Former DSS employee Lonna Carroll made large-cash withdraws in embezzlement scheme, state alleges
Defense lawyer Tim Whalen argued in day-one of trial that charges shouldn't have been brought
PIERRE – The former Department of Social Services employee accused of embezzling nearly $1.8 million over 13 years frequently made large cash withdraws just below a federal trigger meant to flag money laundering, prosecutors argued Tuesday.
Lonna Carroll’s trial in the thefts that allegedly occurred from 2010 to 2023 started Tuesday morning with a large pool of potential jurors – about 60 of them – beginning the process. Many of them were state employees. Some knew Carroll or witnesses scheduled to be called, a reflection of the close-knit capital city. Some had health problems, and some said they couldn’t be fair.
By the end of the morning a 14-member jury with two alternates had been selected.
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