A judge has ordered a psychiatric evaluation for the woman charged with stealing about $110,000 that was intended to pay for World War II veterans’ trips to Washington, D.C.
LaVeta Dawn Miller has entered a plea of not guilty two counts of theft by deception. The state alleges that money was stolen from the Honor Flight program, intended to give World War II veterans expense-paid trips to see their national monument.
Earlier this month, after agreeing to continue as her court-appointed attorney, Ellinwood attorney Robert Anderson Sr. requested a court order for her psychiatric exam and an evaluation to determine Miller’s competency to stand trial. The state did not object.
Judge Dale Urbanek issued the order for a report from The Center for Counseling and Consultation in Great Bend. The Center is to evaluate Miller and also advise if she should be sent to Larned State Security Hospital for further evaluation and treatment.
Because Miller is indigent, the cost will be borne by the state.
Her jury trial, once set for late September, has been suspended indefinitely as the court awaits her evaluation.
Miller is the former director of Central Prairie RC&D, once based in Great Bend. She was in charge of Central Prairie Honor Flights, which raised nearly $1.2 million for veterans’ trips between 2008 and 2012. Flights were halted in 2012, however, and that October, Miller was charged with two counts of theft by deception after more than $100,000 went missing from the group’s account.