Officials claim a "significant amount" has been embezzled from the 4-H Council savings account and a county employee was arrested in the case.

Betty Ann Davis, 49, of 207 S. Graceland St., Claypool, was a secretary for the Extension office prior to her arrest on Monday. She is being held in the Kosciusko County Jail on charges of forgery and theft. Her bond is set at $2,000.

According to Kosciusko County Sheriff Aaron Rovenstine, a county government member notified the police agency Monday of the possible embezzlement of funds.

Davis was interviewed and reportedly admitted the wrongdoing. Subsequent investigation revealed that the misappropriation of funds may have been going on for as many as four years.

Davis worked in the 4-H office for 20 years. She was charged with and convicted of theft in 1985 after taking money in a similar fashion. Officials said the funds in that case were garnered through the same office, but a different organization. Davis continued to work in the 4-H office while serving a term in the Kosciusko County Work Release program during four years of probation. She also was ordered to make restitution.

Kosciusko County Administrator Ron Robinson said the money involved in this incident is not county tax dollars. He said he is unsure where all of the 4-H funds come from, but they are handled through that office by the Kosciusko County 4-H Council.

The county's Extension agents are employees of Purdue University and are paid by the university. All other employees of that office receive salary and benefits from the county. [[In-content Ad]]