A former employee of the City of Briarcliff, accused of stealing from the city’s coffers, was in Baxter County Circuit Court Thursday where she entered a not guilty plea to the charges against her.
Forty-year-old Teri Jean Buege of Mountain Home is charged with stealing the money in a period from Dec. 1st, 2017 to July 3, 2018. It is estimated slightly more than $1,300 was taken during the period.
The money came from the city’s water department account, according to the probable cause affidavit.
Investigators said the stolen funds came from deposits for water service, not reporting or depositing cash payments received for various reasons and at least one forged check.
It is alleged Buege also falsified certain city records.
During the period of the thefts, investigators say Buege returned some of the money she took. At one point, she deposited her pay check in favor of the city in an effort to put some of the money back.
In all, she is said to have returned about $350 of almost $1,700 taken during the seven-month period when the theft took place.
Buege is reported to have admitted taking the money. She is charged with theft of property and forgery. She was ordered to reappear in circuit court Oct. 4th.
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