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43 °F Forecast | Road Cams Monday, January 24, 2005 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Real Estate Guide Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Passport to the Rogue Valley EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People Volunteer Opportunities Moving to Southern Oregon? MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend May 14, 2004 Sheriffs’ secretary faces theft charges By JACK MORAN Mail Tribune A Jackson County sheriff’s office secretary was arrested Thursday on suspicion that she used her position to embezzle more than $1,000 in public funds. Michel Marie Holloran, 49, of Medford, has worked at the sheriff’s office since 1996, Jackson County Sheriff Mike Winters said. As an administrative secretary for Winters and former Sheriff Bob Kennedy, Holloran’s job duties included counting money in the cash register and making bank deposits. "I am very disappointed," Winters said. "On the outside, I am enraged. On the inside, I am hurt by this, because this was someone we put trust in." On Friday, another secretary in the office alerted Winters to an apparent accounting discrepancy. Winters said he "immediately" conducted an audit that indicated a theft had occurred. Oregon State Police detectives took over the investigation, and interviewed Holloran and others at the sheriff’s office on Wednesday. Holloran was placed on administrative leave Wednesday afternoon, and arrested Thursday morning by OSP troopers, Winters said. Advertisement OSP detectives working on the case could not be reached late Thursday. Holloran was lodged in the Jackson County Jail on charges of first-degree theft, first-degree official misconduct, falsifying business records and misapplication of entrusted property. She was released later in the day after posting bail. Investigators are working to complete a full audit of sheriff’s office transactions conducted during the past three years, Winters said. The audit could go back further, if Winters is able to locate more financial records. At this point, investigators do not know exactly how much money was stolen, Winters said. He believes the amount is significantly more than $1,000, but he was reluctant to say more until the investigation is complete. As an eight-year employee of the office, Holloran was a diligent worker who was well-liked by others, Winters said. "She always worked hard and got projects done for us," he said. "She did good, quality work." Winters said the suspected embezzlement has made him take a closer look at internal financial controls. He said the alleged thefts were possible because of an imperfect internal control system. Reach reporter Jack Moran at 776-4459, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Student Loan Consolidation Conference Calls - $50/Month Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker, Trunk, Footlockers