Former SRRA Executive Director pleads guilty to embezzlement and bank fraud charges
Coeburn, Virginia – Melissa Slemp-Rose, a former executive at the Southwest Regional Recreation Authority (SRRA), admitted guilt to serious charges of bank fraud and embezzlement related to financial misappropriations within the Spearhead Trail System. These crimes were revealed in a federal court proceeding where Slemp-Rose waived her right to indictment, pleading guilty to both charges.
Background and Position of Trust
Slemp-Rose’s tenure with SRRA began on July 23, 2019, as Sales and Finance Manager before being promoted to Executive Director in October 2021. The SRRA, which was established in 2008, is tasked with managing the Spearhead Trails—an outdoor recreation initiative spanning several Virginia counties, including Buchanan, Dickinson, Lee, Russell, Scott, Tazwell, Wise, and the City of Norton. As Executive Director, Slemp-Rose was entrusted with overseeing the daily operations of these significant community assets, managing an annual budget of approximately $1.1 million, which included federal funds.
Details of the Crime
The embezzlement came to light following a routine investigation by the SRRA, leading to Slemp-Rose’s resignation on February 3, 2023. Court documents disclosed that Slemp-Rose had misappropriated $16,614 through checks drawn from the SRRA’s bank account, deceitfully endorsed by forging the signature of another board member. These funds were used as part of a down payment for a personal residential property valued at $69,500.
To conceal her fraudulent activities, Slemp-Rose falsified records in the SRRA’s accounting system, QuickBooks, recording the transactions as purchases for “Tools” and a “Land Lease for 5 Years on Mountainview Trail for Conex & SXS Storage.” Additionally, she crafted fake purchase orders and leases, further forging a colleague’s signature to facilitate her scheme.
Legal Proceedings and Investigation
U.S. Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh and Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares made the announcement. The Virginia State Police, alongside the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Financial Fraud Investigator, spearheaded the investigation into these criminal activities.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney M. Suzanne Kerney-Quillen, representing the Virginia Attorney General’s Major Crimes and Emerging Threats Section, is leading the prosecution.
