A former mayor of Lawrence today was charged in U.S. District Court with embezzling funds from a food bank in Douglas County.
Jeremy Farmer, 32, Lawrence, Kan., was charged with one count of embezzlement, according to acting U.S. Attorney Tom Beall.
According to court documents, the crimes took place while Farmer was the executive director of Just Food, a food bank in Douglas County. Just Food serves more than 40 partner agencies with frozen meat and fresh produce as well as bread and food donated from community drives. The organization and its partners play a key role in fighting hunger in Douglas County.
According to court documents, prosecutors allege that from 2013 until Farmer resigned from Just Food and from his position as mayor of Lawrence in August 2015, he used his access to Just Foods’ bank accounts and accounting systems to steal more than $5,000 from the organization.
If convicted, he faces a penalty of up to 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The FBI and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rich Hathaway is prosecuting.