Woman accused of embezzling from nonprofit
Posted/updated on: March 20, 2026 at 10:29 pm
SMITH COUNTY — A woman has been arrested after reportedly stealing more than $100,000 from an East Texas nonprofit. According to our news partner KETK, Palestine Police said they received a report of a possible embezzlement on Friday involving 75-year-old Jo Ellen Walley, the former treasurer of Harvey Women’s Club, a nonprofit.
During the investigation, detectives learned that Walley had made several transactions paying herself or personal bills from the club accounts amounting to more than $100,000 throughout the last few years.
Walley was taken into custody on Monday after officers executed a search warrant of her home on Chaparrel Run. She was booked into the Smith County Jail and charged with misapplication of fiduciary property.
