Serving proudly since 1873 as the beautiful Nebraska Panhandle's first newspaper
Serving proudly since 1873 as the beautiful Nebraska Panhandle's first newspaper
Sidney Wrestling Club treasurer Amanda Sykora was arrested by Cheyenne County Sheriff’s deputies on Oct. 11 for allegedly forging a signature on checks totaling $4506.36 and the theft of club funds.
Sykora reportedly admitted to using the club’s bank account to pay personal expenses and forging the name of Chris Raines, a member of the club’s board of directors, without his knowledge.
According to an affidavit from the Sheriff’s Office, Sykora informed investigators she intended to pay the amount back before the wrestling season.
Chief Deputy Fred Wiedeburg became aware of the issue when approached by Raines and board member Shelly Peckham with documents suggesting unauthorized cash withdrawals and checks had been processed by the treasurer.
Deputies served subpeonas on accounts belonging to the club, to Sykora and to a joint account including Sykora at three Sidney banks.
The investigation reportedly discovered that Sykora was on a cash-only basis with city electric, as well as with Holly Enterprises for the rental of a home. Cash-only is generally applied to accounts where payment is repeatedly returned for insufficient funds.
According to the affidavit, power to the Sykora address had been shut off each month since October of 2012, reconnected when payment was eventually made. Investigators traced several allegedly unauthorized checks from the wrestling club account made out to Sykora dated within days of power being cut off to her home.
They also reportedly discovered checks made to her name for $750--the amount of her monthly rent, according to the document--on two occasions when rent was due.
Scott Collignon, president of the Sidney Wrestling Club, confirmed for deputies that no ATM withdrawals or payments to Sykora had been authorized.
Sykora reportedly told investigators she planned to reimburse the club by submitting checks twice a month until the amount was fully paid.
She was arrested and charged with felony counts of Theft by Unlawful Taking and Forgery.
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