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COLUMBIA — The Major Crimes Unit of the Columbia Police Department is investigating allegations that Lana Jacobs, one of Columbia's best-known charitable service workers, misused tens of thousands of dollars of donated money, Capt. Brad Nelson said today.
Through an audit, police will determine whether any money is missing , Nelson said.
Jacobs was a member of the St. Francis Catholic Worker community, which operates the Loaves and Fishes Soup Kitchen, St. Francis House for homeless men and Lois Bryant House for homeless women.
Her husband, Steve Jacobs, said the amount could be $20,000 to $40,000 or "possibly more," according to a letter he sent to local media today.
No criminal charges have been filed against Lana Jacobs, who has left St. Francis House and moved to St. Louis, her husband said.
Lana Jacobs declined to comment this morning.
"I don't have anything to say," she said before hanging up the phone.
Watch a 2007 video in which Lana Jacobs is one of several people talking about homelessness in Columbia below.
Show Me the Errors 
Comments
Lana's heart may have been bigger than the pocketbook would allow. Perhaps she felt she could pay Peter to pay Paul in order to help a few more struggling people along the way. Bad process - Yes. Bad heart? No way. Peace to you and peace be with you Lana. As hard as this is right now... take heart. The truth will set you free. Please remember...you are a child of God and you are loved.
Well said Jo. I believe in the depth of my heart that there is more to this than meets the eye. Thus far in my life I have been a pretty good judge of character and I feel that Lana is not what the media is making her out to be. Lana stay strong sister and know that God many people in this community loves and appreciates you no matter what.