Audit uncovers funds missing in jail account

Jennifer Knight

Thursday, Sept. 18, 2003 | 11:22 a.m.

North Las Vegas officials are investigating one of their employees in connection with $156,000 in missing funds taken from an account set up for inmates in the jail, a spokeswomen said Thursday.

A jail employee has been dismissed and is now the key subject in the investigation into the missing money, city spokeswoman Brenda Johnson said.

City officials stumbled upon the missing funds after a routine audit of the jail's 2001-02 books. The money was taken from accounts set aside for inmates who have money confiscated upon arrest or have family members who send money, Gregory Rose, acting city manager for North Las Vegas, said.

"At this point the investigation is looking at all areas that could have had an impact on the $156,000 that was missing," Rose said.

Usually, once an inmate is released, the city writes a check for any balance left in that inmate's account. Rose said city officials had no complaints from inmates about lack of payment but are checking to see if any of the checks bounced.

City officials expect the investigation to conclude in 30 to 45 days. There is no indication yet whether the results will lead to criminal charges, Rose said.