Public Money Stolen

The Tahlequah District Attorney’s Office says Larry Couch turned himself in after the DA charged him with embezzlement. According to an affidavit, Couch admitted to stealing $100,000 from the Marble City School District. In a sworn statement to investigators Marble City School Superintendent, Larry Duane Couch, admitted to stealing public money. In the statement couch said “I took the money. I am willing to pay it back and face the consequences for what I did, and I will resign today.” The DA says he thinks couch used the money to buy land. Marble City residents say they want the money back, but some say they won’t be convinced Couch took the money until he’s proven guilty in court. Mary Flute, who has an 8th grader at the school, says, “It bothers me because if it is taken, if it is gone, it needs to be found, because it’s not just about the people, its not just about who runs the school, the money is for the kids.” Judy Wilson, a Marble City Resident, says, “The man has money to do what he wants to do. He could go and buy whatever land he wanted without taking any public money. Hes not hurting. If he wanted to get a loan he could go get a loan anywhere.” Flute says she doesn’t believe Couch did it. She says, "I dont believe that. I dont believe he would, just knowing what kind of person he is and knowing him through my years, and even having him as a principal, hes been a good person." Couch is free on bond. He’s set to be in court Wednesday.