Published: June 22, 2009 09:59 pm      

More than $100,000 missing from county

By TESA CULLI

tesa.culli@register-news.com

MT. VERNON — After the county board had two auditors look over county books, it has been discovered that more than $100,000 is missing between 2004 and 2008.

“After many hours of checking the records, major problems have been found with a loss in excess of $100,000 in years 2004 through 2008,” Jefferson County Board Chairman Ted Buck stated. “This is catastrophic in a county the size of Jefferson, and I am disturbed to have the assignment of messenger of bad news.”

Former deputy treasurer Brenda K. Pickett, 56, of the 600 block of Oak Avenue, was arrested on Aug. 1, 2008, and charged with theft and official misconduct for allegedly taking between $10,000 and $100,000 in county funds between May and August 2008, while acting in her official capacity as an employee of Jefferson County. The case against Pickett is still under investigation and pending.

“The Jefferson County Board has undertaken a detailed audit of county funds due to suspected accounting problems,” the statement from Buck states. “After the alleged theft within the Treasurer’s office last August 2008, an auditor was hired to inspect all records of the previous year and some major discrepancies were found. The board then decided to hire an auditor from a firm in Marion, Illinois. The audit of records was to include three years prior to the alleged theft. We also had records spot checked in prior years to identify the time period of alleged theft and at this time the alleged theft goes back to at least 2004.”

Buck said the board and the Jefferson County State’s Attorney will, “take whatever action is necessary to rectify the situation.”

The board voted Monday night to institute a fiscal policy, which would address all offices which accept money from the public reconciling the books and money drawer each day, one of the actions which have been taken to prevent money from being missing, according to Buck.

Jefferson County Treasurer Debbie Elliott Marlow said she cooperated fully with the auditors.

“The [theft] was apparent, the auditors that come in every year didn’t even pick up on it,” Marlow said. “I really don’t want to make too much of a statement at this time because the investigation is still ongoing.”

A special prosecutor has been assigned to the Pickett case, Mary Bucaro of the Attorney General’s office. According to Jefferson County State’s Attorney Jeff Bradley, who is acting as the county’s attorney, the auditor information has been relayed to the special prosecutor for consideration.

“A few of the board members presently sitting on the board and at least one prior board member have suspected problems for several years, and [these audits] seem to verify those concerns,” Buck stated. “As further information becomes available, I will keep the citizens of this county informed.”