Former Houston, Missouri Chamber of Commerce Director Charged with Theft

HOUSTON, Mo. — The former head of the Houston Area Chamber of Commerce has been arrested on charges of theft over $25,000, forgery and receiving stolen property.

According to court documents, Angela Quinlan, 54, is accused of embezzling funds for her personal benefit from 2018 to 2022. The funds totaled at least $100,000 and were held in two separate bank accounts at two different banks listed as belonging to the Houston Area Chamber of Commerce.

During the investigation, in 2021, a $40,000 check was written to the House by someone close to Quinlan. The check was for a loan to the House to repair air conditioners after they were stolen. The loan money was not accounted for and board members were unaware the loan even existed.

A loan agreement document was provided to investigators and bore the approving signature of the Chamber of Commerce’s then-chairman. The chamber chairman told police he “would never approve such a request because the stolen air conditioners … were being replaced by the insurance company and a loan was not necessary,” according to the probable cause statement.

In 2020, police believe Quinlan, acting on behalf of the Houston Area Chamber of Commerce, received a $25,900 loan from the Small Business Administration (SBA) COVID Relief Fund. The money was also not accounted for.

Current and former board members said they were unaware of the SBA loan until the SBA sent a letter demanding payments be made.