By Kathy Chaffin

Salisbury Post

A former employee has been charged with embezzling almost $12,000 from Salisbury OB/GYN.

Hope Suttle Patton, 29, of Coley Road was arrested Thursday and released on $1,500 secured bond pending a first-appearance hearing Monday in Rowan County District Court, according to the arrest report.

Patton is charged with embezzling $11,997 in cash from April 13, 2006, through Sept. 18, the report said. She worked in the office of the obstetrical/gynecological practice during that time, according to Detective B.R. Cooper of the Salisbury Police Department.

Cooper said the embezzlement was discovered after Patton was terminated. “They noticed records that indicated money was missing,” he said.

A spokesperson for Salisbury OB/GYN declined comment on the case.

Contact Kathy Chaffin at 704-797-4240 or kchaffin@salisburypost.com.