Williamson County leaders say they were shocked by the news that three employees are under investigation for possibly stealing funds from the Circuit Clerk's office.
The three people are suspected of taking money from bonds posted at the County Jail, and then transferred to the Circuit Clerk's office. State police are investigating, and could have a report ready by the end of the week.
County Board Chairman Ron Ellis says he was surprised at the news - but says it's an example of why oversight is so necessary when it comes to government money:
"The fund that's involved with this has its own special audit every year. The employees apparently knew how to circumvent the audit procedures."
Ellis says Circuit Clerk Stuart Hall is known to run a good office, so he was even more surprised when the three accused came from that department. He says the County Board and other leaders will be looking at ways to keep something like this from happening again.
The State's Attorney's office says the investigation is in the hands of the State Police, and Ellis says any information may have to be forwarded to a special prosecutor because the accused are county employees.
