Former Buchanan Co. official admits embezzlement

KANSAS CITY — A former Buchanan County official pleads guilty to embezzling $118,000 in Social Security payments intended for dependent or disabled clients.

Bonnie Sue Lawson was the county's public administrator from 1996 to August 2006. The 68-year-old Lawson admitted in court Wednesday that she took money from accounts of clients served by her office.

As public administrator, Lawson served as guardian for mentally impaired or developmentally disabled adults.

Lawson maintained control over separate bank accounts for her clients. As part of her plea, she admitted writing checks to herself under the guise that the proceeds were to pay her fees from September 2003 to August 2006.

Lawson faces up to 10 years in federal prison without parole, a potential $250,000 fine and restitution.