May 25, 2019

By Tribune Staff

Lee’s Summit resident Steven Lathrop recently pled guilty to felony stealing. On August 25, 2017, Lathrop was charged with multiple counts of fraud and stealing from his former employer, Master File Legal Support Services. According to court records, he allegedly overcharged Master File for a total of $74,011.75 from October, 2015, until May, 2017.

In exchange for his guilty plea on the first count, Lathrop received a suspended imposition of sentence which requires three years probation and substance abuse screening and treatment.

If he does not complete the requirements of his three-year probation, he faces three years in jail. All other counts were dropped as part of the plea agreement.

According to court records, Lathrop was charged with four felony counts of a fraudulent use of a credit or debit device, $500 or more; two felony counts of stealing, $750 or more; and one felony count of stealing, $25,000 or more The charges were filed on August 25, 2017. Included in the probable cause statement was a list of checks Lathrop allegedly wrote to himself from the Master File Legal Support Service’s checking account beginning in October, 2015, through May, 2017.

Prior to being arrested, Lathrop had become active in the area business community and political arena. He was an outspoken critic of former city councilmember Chris Moreno.

He made a political donation in the amount of $100 to city councilmember Trish Carlyle in May, 2017.

Financial reports filed by the political action committee Lee’s Summit Citizens for Responsible Government with the Missouri Ethics Commission show that Lathrop donated $970 in his name. That committee was organized for the recall of former city councilmember Chris Moreno.

According to the Chamber of Commerce of Lee’s Summit Membership Directory, he has an office and works for: Apollo Insurance Group 330 SE DOUGLAS STREET, LEE’S SUMMIT, MO 64063

Related articles: Steven M. Lathrop, Outspoken Critic of Former City Councilmember Chris Moreno, Arrested on Felony Fraud and Stealing

Lathrop Arrest Raises Questions About Political Contributions

02/07/2018 filed in St. Louis County by Master File, Inc.
18SL-CC00652 – MASTER FILE, INC. V STEVEN M LATHROP (E-CASE)