SPD chief investigator Lt. Jason McNeill said Linda Gail Mask, of Sylacauga, was charged with the crime after an investigation led by SPD investigator Willis Whatley.
Members of the Animal Rescue Foundation Board of Directors filed a police report on Jan. 20 alleging Mask misused the organization’s credit card over the period of several years while she served as executive director.
After the investigation was concluded, the complaint was turned over to the Talladega County District Attorney’s office and a warrant was later obtained for Mask’s arrest, McNeill said. She was arrested, assigned a bond of $10,000 and later released.
ARF Board President Wendy Scripps said Mask is still under suspension from her duties as executive director at this time. Scripps also said ARF currently has no plans of dropping the charges. She thanked the SPD for their assistance in the case.
When reached for comment, Mask said she was in the process of speaking with her attorney regarding how to proceed from this point and did not wish to comment further.
McNeill said first-degree theft of property charge is for a theft which exceeds $2,500 in value. It is a Class B felony, and anyone convicted under the statute can be sentenced to a jail term of two to 20 years.
McNeill said he did not want to release a figure as to how much Mask had allegedly stolen because the number could change as the investigation continues.
