Emery County gets scammed by scheme in Florida

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Press release Emery County Sheriff’s Office
On June 13, Emery County Treasurer Steven Barton received an email from who he thought was Emery County Commissioner Keith Brady. The email directed Barton to wire money in the amount of $38,700 to a consultant in Florida. Barton wired the funds as directed. On June 14 in the same email chain, Barton requested a document to support the funds transfer, to which he received a reply stating that he (the Commissioner) was busy with a meeting.
This email also asked Barton if he had done any international wires recently. On June 15, when Barton still had not received the requested documentation, he became suspicious thinking that this was possibly a scam.
Barton contacted the Emery County IT/GIS Department and the County Attorney and requested assistance obtaining a reversal of the wire transfer.
Emery County IT was able to determine that the email chain was fraudulent and that it did not originate from Commissioner Brady.
Investigation was started by the Emery County Sheriff’s Office. The detective assigned to the case is working with the fraud division of the bank in freezing and recovering the funds.
The State Auditor’s Office has been notified for further investigation and will be auditing some of Emery County’s accounts. They will also be looking at Emery County’s policies and procedures.