INVESTIGATIONS RESULT IN ARREST OF FORMER TOWN CLERK-TREASURER

A lengthy Indiana State Police investigation, in conjunction with an investigation from the Indiana State Board of Accounts, resulted in the arrest of the former Oolitic Clerk-Treasurer for Official Misconduct.

Former Oolitic Clerk-Treasurer Jessica L. Staggs, Age 37, of Bedford was arrested on one (1) count of Official Misconduct on Monday, August 12th. She surrendered herself to the Lawrence County Jail without incident. Staggs had served as the Ooltic Clerk-Treasurer between October 2014 and December 2020.

The Indiana State Board of Accounts initiated its investigation in July 2015 and determined that 99 utility payments were not fully deposited into the town account. Investigators discovered 157 checks did not reflect recorded payment amounts with a monetary discrepancy totaling more than $79,000. The SBA investigation compared deposited utility payments and payments posted on the same day and also revealed Staggs had claimed mileage reimbursements for trips to the bank to make the deposits. 

Indiana State Police Detective Craig Starr, of the Organized Crime and Corruption Unit, conducted his investigation in conjunction with the SBA investigation. Starr requested a warrant for Staggs' arrest. She was advised of the warrant and agreed to surrender to the Lawrence County Jail.