MADISONVILLE-It was a routine audit that led to the discovery of a Monroe County Circuit Court employee "floating funds" over a five-month period.

Now the employee who was relieved of his duties has been indicted on two counts in connection with the alleged crime.

Between Feb. 6 and Sept. 10 2012, Bruce Arp allegedly took nearly $3,500 out of court funds and used them for personal reasons, telling Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) officers that he had fallen on "hard financial times."

"He would write down that he had deposited $5,000," said Circuit Court Clerk Marty Cook, "but only put $4,000 in the bank. I never had any reason to doubt him, so it didn't turn up until the annual audit was done last September."

According to the audit, Arp took money from the court five different times, in amounts ranging from $723 to $1,000.

See full story in the Wednesday, Feb. 13, edition of The Advocate & Democrat.