PORT ANGELES – Staci L. Allison, a Clallam County Sheriff’s Department evidence technician, was fired Wednesday after a four-month investigation into more than $50,000 missing from the department’s evidence room.
Allison had been on paid administrative leave since the department discovered the money was missing in late November.
Allison’s dismissal was based on the understanding that criminal charges would be imminent, said a statement from the sheriff’s department.
“Too bad it took so long, but we had to go through the investigation,” said Sheriff Bill Benedict on Wednesday.
The case was investigated by the State Patrol.
Benedict said the State Patrol’s report recommended that Allison be charged with theft.
An internal audit found $51,251.33 missing from the department’s secured evidence room on Nov. 27.
The missing money related to 79 different investigations, the sheriff’s department statement said.
The State Patrol has forwarded investigation results to the Clallam County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
Charges had not been filed as of Wednesday.
Allison was arrested on Dec. 21 for investigation of first degree theft.
She was released from the Clallam County jail the next day after the prosecuting attorney’s office declined to file charges until the investigation was complete.
The State Patrol’s report was given to the sheriff’s department and the prosecuting attorney’s office earlier this week.
Allison was hired April 1, 2002.
The discovery that money was missing came a year after misconduct allegations shook up the department.
A deputy was fired, a sergeant and undersheriff resigned and a commanding officer was reprimanded in late 2005 after allegations of inadequate supervision and misconduct.
Benedict defeated Sheriff Joe Martin in last November’s election.
