New Details Released in County Worker’s Indictment
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CHESTER COUNTY, Tenn. – A former Chester County employee accused of stealing thousands of dollars in taxpayer money entered a guilty plea, Tuesday. The state also released an audit with details surrounding the charges. “It’s upsetting to know as a taxpayer, that that much money has been unfairly used and taken,” said resident Misty Taylor. “I don’t think it’s a very good thing at all,” said resident Dorothy Henry. Former Chester County Soil Conservation District Secretary Stacey Clark pleaded guilty to charges of theft, forgery and tampering with evidence. A state audit said she misappropriated nearly $50,000 from the district while she worked there. It said she issued unauthorized checks paid to herself, or to cash. “A lot of people pay a lot of taxes for everything they get, and she should pay hers too, and not take from people,” said resident Barbara Walters. State officials said Clark created 28 false bank statements on a computer, where she omitted or altered fraudulent checks. The audit also revealed the district’s board of supervisors did not review bank statements or require more than one signature on checks. Now district officials told WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News checks will have to have two authorized signatures. “Somebody needs to look into it, and maybe watch, I don’t know, supervise, maybe a little better, just so that the funds go to where they need to go,” Taylor said. Court officials said Clark has to pay more than $50,000 to the district. “I wish that the money could be put back and used for what it should be used for,” Taylor said. They said Clark has now been sentenced to five years probation and must complete 100 hours of community service.
