Boise County fires two employees after investigation into missing cash

An investigation into the disappearance of an envelope stuffed with $1,700 in cash in Boise County offices late last year resulted in two employees being terminated, according to Boise County Commission Chairman Alan Ward.

County officials held out hope the money was misplaced and would turn up. Staff were asked to look around their work areas. But it was never found, Ward said.

The money was lost while being transferred from the Clerk’s Office to the Treasurer’s Office. Both offices are inside the old Miner’s Exchange building, which in the late 1800s was a saloon where miners could pay for beverages with gold.

Ward did not release the names of the employees but he said one worked in the treasurer’s office, the other in the clerk’s office.

Idaho State Police recently concluded their investigation into the possible theft. The prosecutor will determine if charges will be filed.

The case has been conflicted out to the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office, said Boise County Prosecutor Jolene Maloney.

Ward said county officials did a thorough review of money-handling practices to prevent future losses. He said about 10 new policies and procedures were drafted — specific to each department — and those are expected to be officially adopted soon.

“One policy won’t work for all,” Ward said. He said the policies/practices will be reviewed annually.

In an unrelated case of money missing from county coffers, a former clerk’s office employee was charged in October with two felony counts of grand theft. Rana Klingner was accused of wrongfully taking cash, checks and/or money orders in the amount of $46,922.33 over a two-year period.

Klinger’s preliminary hearing was Dec. 9, according to online court records. She’ll be arraigned at 10 a.m. on Jan. 14 at the Boise County Courthouse.

This story was originally published January 6, 2016 at 1:32 PM with the headline "Boise County fires two employees after investigation into missing cash."