Webster arrested
The former Brazil City clerk-treasurer was booked into Clay County Justice Center on felony allegations of forgery and theft Tuesday evening.
Although details are limited at this time, officials confirmed to The Brazil Times Tracy Webster, 42, Brazil, turned herself in to authorities with her attorney present. She was booked on one class C felony Forgery and three class D felony Theft charges.
Paying 10 percent of the $10,000 cash bond, Webster has since bonded out.
If convicted of a class C felony, the highest charge filed against Webster at this time, the advisory sentence issued by the state for a guilty conviction/plea agreement ranges from 2-8 years in prison and potential fines up to $10,000.
A conviction for a class D felony is punishable with six months to 3 years in prison and potential fines up to $10,000 for each count.
Clay County Prosecutor Lee Reberger, who is unable to comment on pending cases, presented the probable cause affidavit for the arrest warrant earlier Tuesday, which was issued out of Clay Superior Court.
The charges stem from a recently released audit examination report of the city by the Indiana State Board of Accounts (SBOA) and investigation by Indiana State Police Criminal Investigative Division at the Putnamville Post and ISP Det. Sam Stearley.
Webster is linked in the SBOA report to unauthorized vendor payments, plus overpayment of compensation and/or benefits on numerous occasions between May 4, 2007 and Nov. 21, 2008.
The SBOA reviewed financial information from Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 2009, and, after finding negative balances and discrepancies, the examiners went back to analyze records from previous years in an attempt to uncover any other inconsistencies.
The joint investigation took nearly five months.
A total of $19,550.54, which includes a $6,500 reimbursement to the State of Indiana for additional audit costs incurred due to the investigation and approximately $11,500 in public funds allegedly diverted for personal use, was attributed to Webster's alleged mismanagement of public funds
According to the official report, Webster signed a promissory note Aug. 6, 2009, to repay restitution in installments of $100 a month. Payments were made in September and October 2009, but none since. The report also cited Webster had filed bankruptcy, but did not disclose when that took place.