Ex-license office worker gets probation for theft of $48,000

FARMINGTON, Mo. -- A former employee of a state license office in eastern Missouri has been placed on probation for stealing.

The Daily Journal newspaper in Park Hills, Mo., reported 27-year-old Tiffany De-Nay Huskey of Bonne Terre pleaded guilty last week. In addition to five years of probation she repaid the $48,000 that was stolen.

An investigation of the Farmington License Office began after a 2011 audit. Huskey told authorities she changed the tax rates from a city to a county rate after the customer had already paid the correct amount, and she kept the difference.

Missouri license offices are operated by independent contractors. Alternative Opportunities operates the Farmington office. A spokesman says customers were not victimized by Huskey's scam, but the Missouri Department of Revenue was shortchanged.