Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, July 17, 1993 TAG: 9307170120
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: By KATHY LOAN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: DUBLIN LENGTH: Medium
Linda Thomas Dobbins, 37, of the 5200 block of Colonial Drive, Dublin, was charged Thursday with one count of embezzlement, state police said.
Dobbins is accused of not turning over to SHARE Virginia money she collected from participants of the community service-for-food program.
Kathy Rayne, director of SHARE Virginia, a nonprofit community service and food distribution program, said earlier this year that Dobbins was a host for the Dublin area. For $13, sales tax and two hours of community service, participants receive a food package valued at about $30.
Rayne said Dobbins would collect money from participants then forward it to SHARE. But in December 1992 and January of this year, Raines said, Dublin participants received food packages but SHARE did not receive the money.
SHARE obtained a $1,600 judgment against Dobbins and her husband in May.
Agent Al Crane with state police's Wytheville Division said Dobbins was released on a personal recognizance bond. An arraignment is set for Aug. 9 and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for Aug. 30 in Pulaski County General District Court.
State police began its investigation in mid-May at the request of Everett Shockley, Pulaski County's commonwealth's attorney.
At about the same time, Dobbins' husband, J.W. "Tommy" Dobbins, was suspended from his job as a Dublin town police officer.
On July 1, Dublin Town Council reinstated Dobbins to the force. Mayor Benny Keister said the state investigation found no criminal wrongdoing by Officer Dobbins.
Giles County Commonwealth's Attorney James Hartley, who was appointed special prosecutor for the case, said earlier this month that the investigation of Tommy Dobbins has concluded and police found no evidence that would warrant prosecuting him.
by CNB