Another great example of why two signatures are required on any check over $400.

I think that use of the new Greenmeadow Administrative Manager as a source for the article is poor reporting, and puts the new manager is an awkward position of having to answer to the wrong doings of her predesessor. If your article is to report about a crime, the Greenmeadow Community Board presisent has already announced that to its members. It seems like you are creating a circus exhibit here.

Sociopathic behavior like this needs to be brought to light. Thank you for reporting it. [Portion removed by Palo Alto Online staff.]

How about a photo of the perp?

"ACRO Gymnastics Academy", the name alone sounds like a perfect setup for his new scam, a new gym with an old world name such as "Academy".
Personally I don't believe he should be aloud to have a business dealing with an unsuspecting public ever!!

Person note: "Gwp-ch", a major rudeness peeve, calling out that "typo", that is something you should private message directly to the writer, did you spend the hours on research and investigation on this article?? Apologize in a private message maybe?? "Gwp-ch"

This happens more often than people realize, especially in businesses and organizations where the bookkeeper or business manager has sole control over the books. I have a close friend whose design/build business was ruined by a crooked manager. My friend was very good and too busy doing what he did best, designing and building. That's why he hired a manger to handle the other stuff. Once these crooks realize they can get away with the small stuff, they can't resist going after the big money.
Part of how this was done was by pulling checks out of the back of the check book, out of sequence, then fudging the books to look like legitimate bills were being paid. It only came to light when the crook resigned and his wife had to take over the books at tax time. They were always running low on funds in spite of a booming business, and couldn't figure out why. Because he had a solid reputation and track record, this went on for some time. But once one creditor called in an account that had not been paid, like dominoes, all suppliers jumped on the bandwagon, and my friend could no longer operate. It put him out of business, and even though they got some of the funds back, there was not enough to cover the losses. Twenty or more skilled workers lost their jobs, a high-end cabinet shop had to be sold. It's tragic. This was a well known builder in Maine. The homes he designed and built are second to none, each unique. He now works for his former primary competitor.
This creep manager was paying his mortgage, renting cars for his wife, you name it. He died not too long after he was charged. Left a trail of wreck and ruin.
NEVER trust anyone to manage your financial affairs, without another qualified person reviewing the books, and the accounts that are supposedly being paid.

Greenmeadow is a horribly managed community. The fact that this could go on for so long without anyone noticing is ridiculous. [Portion removed by Palo Alto Online staff.]

Kimall had most of the residents in Greenmeadow thinking that he was doing an exemplary job. He was charming, friendly, intelligent, and supposedly hard-working. Little did we know that he was embezzling from the community. Obviously, there is some work that needs to be done to make sure this never happens again. I know that the residents of Greenmeadow will pull together, make the necessary changes that need to be made, and move on.

To Jason,

You comment is not appropriate. The borad and presidency rotate and our current president just started recently (one or two months) and was one of those that found it. Kimball had been working since Aug. 2008 under several presidents and boards. He apparently only started stealing in the past 9 - 12 months. As Steve C. said it started small. The bulk only happened recently.

GM Associate Member.

This behavior is unacceptable and it's unfortunate that this happened.

Wasn't this guy ever audited? This neighborhood assn. must have gobs of money to be missing that much and no one ever noticed until he left.

How did he stockpile the money? Why were people paying him? Our neighborhood has an annual party and asks for money to participate and I've noticed that the kitty has depleted considerable from thousands to hundreds in a short time. This should be a warning to neighborhoods to not engage. Neighborhood parties should be potluck.

"Manager steals $70K from neighborhood group" ? Really? No trial. Not even an arrest. But the Weakly says he's guilty based on emails. Wow! We don't need a legal system with judges, lawyers, juries and all of that stuff when the Weakly can declare who is guilty or innocent.

The guy confessed to embezzlement. He deserves to be treated like he is telling the truth.

Many good points which I hope the GMCA and other community organizations learn from; they must be set up like business' with Employee Handbook and Job Descriptions. Two signatures at the minimum by the President and VP of the Board; plus another Board Member to reconcile the Transaction Journal and Bank Statements monthly.

As far as the embezzler; his actions should be investigated while he is under a court ordered arrest, just like anyone else would be, except for the Bankers, Investment Company Execs on the East Coast and the crooks in Corporations, Insurance and Real Estate who created the world's financial disaster of 2008. It doesn't matter if he wrote a "nice" email trying to exonerate himself. Who is he kidding? The least he could do is return all the equipment he bought, sell what he can't return; give the proceeds to the GMCA and then wear an ankle bracelet with a tagging system, get a job and pay back the GMCA every single dime plus 7% interest for as long as it takes. Sounds far to me; otherwise he is put into jail where we have to pay for his time and the GMCA gets nothing!

While he may well be sorry and has written that "the worst punishment is my own guilt", what he is admitting to is a serious crime and was a pattern, not an impulsive, one-time act.

I cannot help but think that whatever his sentence, it will be easier than that for an inner city kid caught stealing a $70k car.

Hey, white collar crime seems to work for Wall Street!

A previous poster described Mr. Allen’s behavior as sociopathic, and after last night’s Greenmeadow neighborhood briefing, I have to agree. As if the numerous counts of felony embezzlement weren’t enough, he weaseled his way into many people’s lives and homes, tossing off lie after lie – making it clear that he has zero regard (possibly even contempt) for those around him. [Portion removed by Palo Alto Online staff.]

[Post removed by Palo Alto Online staff.]

A long-term pattern of embezzlement, carefully structured to avoid detection, is typical of psychopaths.

They are usually charming, friendly, verbally clever, masters at lying, manipulative, and they invariably leave a trail of ruin and pain behind them.

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[Post removed by Palo Alto Online staff.]

Dear Member, Kimball's actions speak loudly and clearly. They are not the actions of someone who genuinely cares about the members of this community. On the contrary, his actions have blind-sided and hurt many community members. While the financial hurt is there, the deeper wound is the fact that this community trusted and valued him as an employee, and as a friend. Greenmeadow is an amazing place, and we will get through this as we work together and move forward.

With such a weak accounting system and the lack of audits, the Greenmeadow Community Association got the administrator they deserved. Hopefully, the board will insist on better accountability and safeguards.

Financial work in the US these days seems like a license to steal. I doubt he will get a "long enough" jail sentence or learn from the experience. He'll just get "promoted" into something bigger.

How is it that we produce so many dishonest people lacking any care of bond to their communities?

It is important to note that in part, due to websites like this one, he's pretty much screwed if future employers ever Google his name before hiring him.

Anonymous, No, the Community Association does not deserve this. Green Meadow is run by volunteers, who work very hard to make it the wonderful organization it is. Yes, this has uncovered a weakness in the accounting practice, which is being addressed. What would be tragic would be for the community to become less open and welcoming, and for the members to be reduced to blaming, name calling, finger pointing - well, your post is a good example.

Thank you Observer! Your post is much appreciated!