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Ankeny Chamber of Commerce CEO arrested months after being fired
Former Ankeny Chamber of Commerce CEO arrested for theft, money laundering
Updated: 6:36 PM CST Jan 15, 2025
NOW. AND RIGHT NOW, THE FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE ANKENY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IS IN JAIL, CHARGED WITH STEALING MORE THAN $250,000 FROM THE CHAMBER. MELISSA COX TURNED HERSELF IN TO ANKENY POLICE EARLY THIS MORNING. KCCI SENIOR REPORTER TODD MAGEL IS HERE WITH HOW COX ALLEGEDLY COMMITTED THIS CRIME. TODD BENNETT CASEY, $250,000 IS A LOT OF MONEY, AND POLICE SAY SHE USED CREDIT CARDS AND BANK TRANSFERS OVER A THREE YEAR PERIOD. MELISSA COX TURNED HERSELF INTO ANKENY POLICE JUST AFTER MIDNIGHT. JAIL RECORDS SHOW SHE’S CHARGED WITH MULTIPLE COUNTS OF THEFT, UNAUTHORIZED CREDIT CARD USE AND MONEY LAUNDERING. IT ALL ADDS UP TO MORE THAN A QUARTER OF $1 MILLION. THE ANKENY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CALLED POLICE BACK IN NOVEMBER. THEY WORKED WITH THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TO DETERMINE SOME THINGS DIDN’T ADD UP. COURT DOCUMENTS SHOW COX HAD BEEN PRESIDENT OF THE ANKENY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SINCE 2022. SHE HAD A CHAMBER CREDIT CARD THAT WAS USED TO PURCHASE PERSONAL ITEMS. EACH CHARGE REPRESENTS THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS OF ORDERS, ACCOUNTS AND SUBSCRIPTIONS. DOCUMENTS ALSO SAY COX PROVIDED ADMISSIONS TO THE THEFT DURING AN INTERVIEW. ANKENY POLICE SAY THESE ARE FELONY CRIMES. IT’S UNFORTUNATE. YOU KNOW, YOU’D LIKE TO PUT YOUR TRUST IN PEOPLE AND HOPEFULLY THEY DO THE RIGHT THING, BUT YOU ALSO, WE TRY TO CAUTION PEOPLE YOU WANT TO HAVE YOUR CHECKS AND BALANCES IN PLACE. THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ANKENY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, TONY MILLS, SAYS HE CAN’T COMMENT ON THE ARREST BUT SAYS IN A STATEMENT WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT 2025 AND ARE FOCUSED ON HIRING A NEW CEO FOR THE LONG TERM SUCCESS OF THE ANKENY CHAMBER AND SERVING OUR MEMBERS. THE ANKENY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HAS MORE THAN 900 MEMBERS WHO PAY THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS A YEAR FOR MEMBERSHIP IN THE CHAMBER. WE TALKED TO A FEW WHO WERE SHOCKED BY THE ARREST, BUT THEY DIDN’T WANT TO APPEAR ON CAMERA, AND WE REACHED OUT TO MELISSA COX, BUT WE DID NOT HEAR BACK. BEN. YEAH. TODD, AS YOU SAID, A L
Former Ankeny Chamber of Commerce CEO arrested for theft, money laundering
Updated: 6:36 PM CST Jan 15, 2025
The former president and CEO of the Ankeny Chamber of Commerce has been arrested.Police say Melisa Cox stole more than $250,000 from the organization over three years.The investigation started in November when a board member contacted police. The chamber dismissed Cox after financial irregularities were found in an audit.Cox faces several charges, including theft, unauthorized use of a credit card and money laundering. She was booked into the Polk County Jail early Wednesday morning.» Download the free KCCI app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google PlayGet the latest headlines from KCCI
ANKENY, Iowa —
The former president and CEO of the Ankeny Chamber of Commerce has been arrested.
Police say Melisa Cox stole more than $250,000 from the organization over three years.
The investigation started in November when a board member contacted police. The chamber dismissed Cox after financial irregularities were found in an audit.
Cox faces several charges, including theft, unauthorized use of a credit card and money laundering. She was booked into the Polk County Jail early Wednesday morning.
» Download the free KCCI app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play
The Ankeny Chamber of Commerce CEO, who was fired several months ago, has now been arrested on charges of embezzlement and fraud. This shocking turn of events has left the community reeling as they try to make sense of how someone in such a prominent position could be involved in such illegal activities.
The former CEO, who had been with the Chamber for over a decade, was terminated from his position after an internal investigation revealed financial discrepancies and suspicious transactions. The investigation was prompted by reports from staff members who had noticed irregularities in the organization’s finances.
Since his arrest, the former CEO has been released on bail and is awaiting trial. The Chamber of Commerce has issued a statement expressing their shock and disappointment at the situation, and has assured the community that they are cooperating fully with law enforcement in their investigation.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of transparency and accountability in all organizations, no matter how reputable they may seem. It also highlights the need for thorough background checks and oversight when hiring and promoting individuals to positions of authority.
As the community grapples with this unfortunate turn of events, they are left to wonder how such a betrayal of trust could have occurred. The Chamber of Commerce, meanwhile, is working to rebuild their reputation and regain the trust of their members and the community at large.
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