by Sean Boone
A 32-year veteran of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has been accused of stealing more than $100,000 in department funds.
Catherine Lister, who retired on Jan. 29 from the finance department, was charged with first-degree larceny on Thursday.
Sheriff David Morgan said at a press conference that Lister was confronted after an employee discovered discrepancies in bookkeeping on Monday.
“The upside to this case is the safeguards we have implemented enabled us to identify the funding loss,” Morgan said.
The Sheriff also said further charges could be filed against Lister dependent upon evidence gathered in the ongoing investigation. She is currently being held on bond for $25,000 at the county jail.
Lt. Ray Briggs, who is heading the investigation, said the money was taken out of three sources of funds:
—evidence trust fund
—contraband
—cash seized in arrests
Lister allegedly took cash out of bank deposits and created two sets of receipts for bookkeeping. Records show she took funds from as far back as 2008.
Morgan said county officials will be doing a separate investigation of the missing funds on Monday and said he was confident it was a solo crime.
“I spoke to the employees (from finances) and I can tell you there were a lot of tear-filled eyes,” he said. “This is someone they’ve worked with for many years.
“There is no reason to believe there is anyone but professionals in that office.”