MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Authorities are searching for a bookkeeper who was convicted of embezzling more than $250,000 from a Tennessee lawyer but failed to appear for the jury verdict announcement.
The Shelby County district attorney’s office says 51-year-old Teresa Sumpter was present for every day of her trial in Memphis this week.
When the jury was ready Friday to deliver its verdict, Sumter did not return to the courtroom.
Sumter was out of jail on bond. A judge has issued a warrant for her arrest.
An indictment says Sumpter stole from her boss, attorney Jerry Schatz, from 2013 to 2015.
Sumpter has two prior convictions for stealing from previous employers under another name. She faces up to 60 years in prison on theft and money laundering convictions in the latest case.
