JACKSBORO, TN. (WLAF)-  A state comptroller’s report has revealed misappropriations in the county clerk’s office.

In the spring, an investigation was launched by the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office when Campbell County Court Clerk Alene Baird alerted authorities to what she had found in an internal audit.

After Baird was elected to the office, she instituted internal auditing mechanisms relating to the daily transactions of her office, she said.

In the course of one of these audits, Baird learned there had been “questionable transactions” relating to date changes, the comptroller’s report said.

As officials delved into what Baird and her deputy clerk Maria Partin had discovered, they learned Jodi Owens had “misappropriated at least $702 from the clerk’s office by failing to deposit collections and improperly changing recorded transactions,” the report said.  After collecting the money, Owens allegedly changed the date of the transaction so they would not show up on the daily report.  The comptroller’s reports revealed that Owens changed one date eight times.

When Baird conducted a “surprise count” of her clerks’ cash drawers she found the $702 shortage in Owens’ drawer, according to the report.  When questioned about the shortage, Owens left the office and came back with money to repay the money.  She also resigned from her job that day as well.  In all, authorities found 148 “questionable changes totaling $3,946” that Owens had allegedly completed.

A second, unnamed deputy clerk also had 138 questionable charges. Hers totaled $1,253. This employee “admitted to taking money from her cash drawer for personal use,” the report said.  She was terminated in April.

“When I took office, I wanted to make sure we conducted internal audits,” Baird said. “Because of an internal audit we discovered this problem.”

Owens was indicted recently on one count of official misconduct.  Her next court date is Sept. 14. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 09/01/2020- 6AM)