Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller on Monday personally filed a lawsuit aimed at recovering nearly $200,000 in public funds allegedly embezzled by a now former chief deputy LaPorte County auditor.
Zoeller, to help send a message that stealing tax dollars will not be tolerated, filed the lawsuit about 3 p.m. in the clerk's office at LaPorte Circuit Court.
However, the legal action taken against Mary Ray asks for three times the amount she allegedly took because she was in a position of trust and evidence, suggesting the monies went for gambling and, perhaps, other personal use.
''It's meant to show the public that we're going to take these things seriously. We're not going to look the other way,'' said Zoeller.
An audit by the State Board of Accounts alleges Ray from Sept. 19, 2011, to Dec. 28, 2012, during more than 150 bank transactions, pocketed a percentage of the cash and checks taken in by the county.
The thefts were covered up in the county ledgers, which reflected amounts higher than what was actually deposited, according to the audit.
The lawsuit seeks recovery of the slightly more than $153,000 allegedly taken and $45,813 expended by the state on the audit.
The total amount sought is more than $450,000 because of a state law that allows up to three times as much stolen to be sought from the court in addition to attorney fees and other costs.
Ray was chief deputy auditor from 2009 to 2012 under Craig Hinchman, who lost a re-election attempt.
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http://www.southbendtribune.com/news/crime/attorney-general-s-suit-names-former-laporte-county-deputy-auditor/article_3910958c-a343-11e3-87b8-0017a43b2370.html
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http://www.southbendtribune.com/news/crime/attorney-general-s-suit-names-former-laporte-county-deputy-auditor/article_3910958c-a343-11e3-87b8-0017a43b2370.html
