ANKENY, Iowa — The Ankeny Area Chamber of Commerce has filled a lawsuit against it’s former CEO, Melisa Cox, who pled guilty to stealing more than $250,000 earlier this year.

In late April, 47-year-old Melisa Cox withdrew previous not-guilty pleas and pled guilty to first-degree theft, unauthorized use of a credit card in excess of $10,000, money laundering, and second-degree fraudulent practice.

Between January 2022 and November 2024, Cox made unauthorized personal charges to the chambers credit card totaling $251,345 and then manipulated records to cover the charges, according to court records.

Cox was later sentenced to 35 years in prison, which was later suspended by a judge, who instead ordered five years of probation and $152,637.11 to be paid in restitution.

Court records show a lawsuit was filed by the Ankeny Area Chamber of Commerce in Polk County on Sept. 26. According to the documents, the chamber says the ordered restitution does not compensate for the fraud and that damages to the organization surpassed $300,000.

The chamber says along with the $250,000 in stolen funds, the organization sustained attorney and consultant fees, crisis management fees, increased insurance premiums, loss of volunteer participation and reputation harm.

In July, during Cox’s sentencing, a representative from the Greater Ankeny Chamber of Commerce read a victim impact statement on behalf of the board members, stating the situation had dealt a devastating blow to the organization.

“The embezzlement of over $250,000 from our organization was not only a serious financial crime; it was a profound betrayal of the values that we uphold,” said Tony Mills, chairman of the board. “We’re angry, we’re hurt, and we’re exhausted.”

The Chamber is seeking damages under five counts and requests that Cox pay for the actual damages and legal costs the Chamber sustained during the incidents and the following trial.