Former food bank employee accused of embezzling nearly $35K

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - A former Food Bank of Iowa employee has been accused of stealing nearly $35,000 while working for the nonprofit.

Polk County court records say 31-year-old Lauren Phillips is charged with theft, identity theft, forgery and other crimes. The records don’t list the name of an attorney who could comment for her.

The records say she used the CEO’s identity and that of several vendors to create and issue checks to herself, while using fake invoices to enter those checks into records as valid payments.