City hall theft nears $150,000

Charges surrounding the theft of funds from Rusk City Hall were not presented to the March 26 Cherokee County Grand Jury.

District Attorney Elmer Beckworth told the Cherokeean Herald last week that the matter is still under investigation and not ready to be presented.

City attorney, Forrest Phifer, had said earlier that the amount taken is in the six figure range. The Cherokeean Herald has now learned that the theft is almost $150,000.

Texas Rangers investigated the incident after the city called in an outside auditor and it was deemed that the ranger investigation was necessary. When the rangers completed their investigation, the matter was referred to the district attorney. The investigation has been on-going for six months.

An employee at city hall was terminated.

City Manager Mike Murray said March 28 he has hired two new employees and transferred another one.

Lindsey Lankford has been transferred from the police department to city hall to serve as bookkeeper. Christene Camplain has been employed in the water collection department and Vickie Tullis has been hired to work in the police department.