Audits: Money missing from SE Mo. sheriff offices

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- The state auditor says thousands of dollars collected by two southeast Missouri sheriffs' departments are missing.

Auditor Tom Schweich released reports Tuesday on audits of the New Madrid and Stoddard county sheriffs' departments.

Schweich says nearly $80,000 taken in by the New Madrid sheriff's office was never deposited, and a deputy has been fired.

In Stoddard County, Schweich says more than $15,000 recorded on more than 300 receipts was not deposited. The department's office manager was fired.

Criminal charges also have been filed in both cases.

The Stoddard County sheriff has started reviewing bank reconciliations and other accounting records each month. In New Madrid County, accounting duties have been divided, and the sheriff reviews all transactions.