Former mayor charged with embezzling from food bank

Lawrence’s former mayor was charged Thursday in federal court with embezzling thousands of dollars from a Douglas County food bank, acting U.S. Attorney Tom Beall said in a news release.

Jeremy Farmer, 32, is facing one count of embezzlement in connection with the case. Prosecutors say he was the executive director of Just Food, which provides groceries collected at community drives to more than 40 partner agencies, when he allegedly used his access to its bank accounts and accounting systems to steal more than $5,000.

Beall said the thefts occurred from 2013 until Farmer resigned from the food bank and as mayor of Lawrence in August 2015.

If convicted, Farmer faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a maximum fine of $250,000, Beall said.

This story was originally published August 11, 2016 at 3:56 PM with the headline "Former mayor charged with embezzling from food bank."