ANKENY, Iowa — Melisa Cox, the former president and CEO of the Ankeny Area Chamber of Commerce, has been arrested on 14 felony charges after allegedly stealing more than $250,000 from the organization she once led. According to court documents, Cox began using a chamber-issued credit card for personal expenses almost immediately after taking the role in January 2022.
Cox, 47, faces the following charges:
Six counts of theft
Six counts of unauthorized use of a credit card
One count of fraudulent practice
One count of money laundering
Cox turned herself in to the Ankeny Police Department on January 15, 2025.
The theft was first discovered after an internal audit in November 2024, which revealed financial irregularities. The Ankeny Area Chamber of Commerce received a report from a board member on November 16 regarding concerns over missing funds. Cox was dismissed from her position in November 2024.
According to court documents, between January 2022 and November 2024, Cox allegedly used the credit card for personal purchases totaling more than $250,000. These transactions included various orders, accounts, subscriptions, and other purchases.
Here is a breakdown of the amounts allegedly spent by Cox during the time period outlined in the court documents:
$26,599 from January to June 2022
$37,666 from July to December 2022
$36,410 from January to June 2023
$48,097 from July to December 2023
$62,633 from January to June 2024
$39,940 from July to November 2024
Additionally, Cox allegedly transferred $1,291 from a chamber bank account to her personal account to cover up her theft. She is also accused of altering five transactions to make them appear as legitimate business expenses, totaling $3,102.
Despite efforts to reach Cox for comment, she did not respond. Polk County Jail records show she remains incarcerated without bond.
Tony Mills, the chair of the Ankeny Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, reiterated the Chamber’s commitment to moving forward, stating that the organization remains financially stable. The Chamber is now focused on hiring a new CEO for the future success of the organization.
In the meantime, Trent Murphy, a board member and former Ankeny school board member, has been named as the interim CEO.
This case highlights the importance of vigilance and oversight in nonprofit organizations to prevent financial abuse.
