Former Haven Director Tara Koch to respond to theft and forgery charges in August 22nd plea hearing
Pictured: Tara Koch Photo from Zoominfo.com
By Cole Goodwin
A plea hearing for former Haven Executive Director Tara Koch who is accused of 26 charges related to the theft of more than $96,000 has been scheduled for Aug. 22nd, 2022 at 9:45 a.m.
The former Executive Director of Haven from Domestic and Sexual Violence is set to appear via an internet public Webex hearing on charges of theft, identity theft and forgery.
An overview of the case so far is available below.
The Secret Indictment
On June 9th, 2022 the secret indictment of Tara Koch was filed at Wasco County Circuit Court.
The Arrest
On July 7th, 2022, Koch was arrested in Washington County on 26 charges.
Koch was charged with six counts of first degree theft, two counts of second degree theft and nine counts of aggravated theft from Haven, a non-profit organization that offers support and advocacy for survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, and stalking in Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam and Wheeler Counties.
Aggravated theft is a Class B felony for theft of $10,000 or more. First degree theft is a Class C felony for theft of $1,000 or more and second degree theft is a misdemeanor for the theft of $100 or more.
Bringing the total amount of money allegedly embezzled from Haven to more than $96,200.
Koch’s bail was set at $250,000.
At 11:04 p.m. that same day, $25,000 (10% down on $250,000) was paid in cash to the Wasco County Circuit Court to secure Koch’s bail.
Koch agreed at that time to appear in court on August 1st, 2022.
A complete list of the charges brought against Koch is follows below:
Count I: Theft in the First Degree, ORS 164.055/164.085, C Felony
Count 2: Theft in the First Degree, ORS 164.055/164.085, C Felony
Count 3: Theft in the First Degree, ORS 164.055/164.085, C Felony
Count 4: Theft in the First Degree, ORS 164.055/164.085, C Felony
Count 5: Aggravated Theft in the First Degree, ORS 164.057/164.085, B Felony
Count 6: Aggravated Theft in the First Degree, ORS 164.057/164.085, B Felony
Count 7: Aggravated Theft in the First Degree, ORS 164.057/164.085, B Felony
Count 8: Aggravated Theft in the First Degree, ORS 164.057/164.085, B Felony
Count 9: Theft in the Second Degree, ORS 164.045/164.085, A Misdemeanor
Count 10: Theft in the First Degree, ORS 164.055, C Felony
Count 11: Theft in the Second Degree, ORS 164.045/164.085, A Misdemeanor
Count 12: Theft in the First Degree, ORS 164.057, C Felony
Count 13: Aggravated Theft in the First Degree, ORS 164.057, B Felony
Count 14: Aggravated Theft in the First Degree, ORS 164.057, B Felony
Count 15: Aggravated Theft in the First Degree, ORS 164.057, B Felony
Count 16: Aggravated Theft in the First Degree, ORS 164.057, B Felony
Count 17: Aggravated Theft in the First Degree, ORS 164.057, B Felony
Count 18: Theft in the First Degree, ORS 164.057, C Felony
Count 19: Identity Theft, ORS 165.800, C Felony
Count 20: Forgery in the First Degree, ORS 165.013, C Felony
Count 21: Identity Theft, ORS 165.800, C Felony
Count 22: Forgery in the First Degree, ORS 165.013, C Felony
Count 23: Aggravated Identity Theft, ORS 165.803, B Felony
Count 24: Forgery in the First Degree, ORS 165.013, C Felony
Count 25: Identity Theft, ORS 165.800, C Felony
Count 26: Forgery in the First Degree, ORS 165.013, C Felony
Haven Releases Statement
On Monday July, 11th 2022 Haven released the following statement:
“The dedicated staff and board of Haven are devastated by the conduct of the former director of Haven. The Board appointed a new Director, Marcee Kukal Manning, in October of 2021. In the past eight months, Ms. Manning, the board and staff cooperated fully with the investigation, completed a thorough audit utilizing an independent accounting firm, and implemented stronger fiscal policies to ensure the continuity of Haven's vital services. Haven will continue to support and advocate on behalf of victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Haven pledges full cooperation with the prosecution of its former director and thanks the Attorney General, Ellen Rosenblum, her Assistant Attorneys General and Department of Justice investigators for their hard work and assistance during this challenging period.”
Koch’s Indictment
On August 1st, 2022 at 9:45 a.m. Koch was indicted via an online hearing on Webex.
Judge John A. Olson presided over the indictment.
At that time Koch was made aware of the potential sentences associated with the charges brought against her.
Of the 26 charges brought against Koch, eight of them could entail more serious penalties.
Koch is being charged on 3 counts of Idenity theft and one account of aggravated identity theft, for having allegedly forged HAVEN board members signatures. These four charges are Class C felonies. In Oregon, a Class C felony can result in a maximum of five years in prison, a fine as much as $125,000 or both.
Koch is also being charged on four counts of forgery in the first degree, for having allegedly defrauded IRS 990 forms. Forgery in the first degree is a class B felony. In Oregon, conviction of a Class B felony can result in a maximum prison term of ten years, a potential fine of $250,000 or both.
In regards to the counts of identity theft and forgery, the indictment alleged that Koch had used the identities of Haven board members Leslie Wolf and Carol Friend to sign checks and other documents and used Wolf’s identity in ten separate instances within a three-month period.
Koch was given a no-contact order stating she was not to have any contact with Wolf, Friend, or anyone affiliated with Haven.
Koch was also given a court appointed lawyer: Bernice Melamud.
At the indictment, Judge Olson recused himself from overseeing any more court proceedings of the case due to a personal conflict of interest in regards to one of the victims.
Judge Stauffer and Judge Wolf have also recused themselves from the case.
The Plea Hearing
Judge Karen Ostrye will oversee the plea hearing proceedings on August 22nd, 2022 at 9:45 a.m.
Plea hearings are court proceedings in which defendants respond to the criminal charges brought against them by pleading guilty, not guilty or no contest. A plea of no contest is a plea in which the defendant accepts conviction but does not admit guilt.
If the defendant pleads guilty or no contest they receive sentencing without a need to go to trial.
If Koch pleads not guilty then the case will go to trial.
Recent court documents showed that Melamud was no longer representing Koch. CCCNews reached out to Wasco and Hood River County Circuit Courts, Melamud, and Koch to ask who would be acting as Koch legal representation during her plea hearing on the 22nd.
As of August 18th, the identity of Koch’s future legal representation was unknown to the Court and Koch had not responded to CCCNews request for comment.
Attend the Hearing
Phone: 1-503-388-9555 (Access Code: 146 482 2652 # #)
Video: signin.webex.com/join
Meeting Number: 146 482 2652
Meeting Password: Hoodcrim5!
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