Manager stole money because she was mad
Because she was angry, the former general manager of the Manchester-Coffee County Conference Center misappropriated more than $31,000, including buying clothing and airfare at taxpayers’ expense for a personal trip to Europe.
Tennessee Comptroller’s Office officials said Alyce Faith Heifner told state investigators she took the money because she was angry at the Public Building Authority Board “for not supporting her, and because she was angry at the Coffee County community for the way she was treated,” officials stated in the report released Friday.
Now Heifner faces one count of theft over $10,000 and two counts of official misconduct on indictments handed down in December by the Coffee County grand jury, according to investigators from the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury.
The thefts took place from July 2014 to October 2015, officials said.
Heifner does not yet have an attorney on record in Coffee County Criminal Court and could not be reached for comment.
Investigators said Heifner used multiple schemes to steal money over the 15-month period. According to the comptroller’s report i ssued Friday, Heifner charged at least $21,900 to conference center credit cards, including charges in December 2014 for clothing and almost $ 3,800 for airfare for her and an unnamed guest. The airfare was for a Russian-Scandinavian cruise she took in June 2015.
The other charges were made to local convenience stores, department stores and one $768 purchase from the Big Lots Store in Tullahoma.
In purchases on the conference center’s debit card, Heifner spent $6,100 for a big-screen television and rental of an SUV, the report states. Heifner also took at least $1,900 in cash from the center’s bank account, and requested and received at least $980 for hours she did not work, including days for which she was paid while she was on the cruise.
Comptroller’s office investigators said Heifner was able to conceal her activity by removing pages from bank statements and credit card statements. She also submitted incorrect and misleading financial reports to The Public Building Authority of Coffee County, Tenn., board.
Heifner resigned on Dec. 4, 2015.
“Board members must ensure they provide oversight when there’s a possibility that money can be stolen,” said Comptroller Justin P. Wilson. “Even something as simple as opening the mail and reviewing bank statements should help deter theft. I am pleased to note the board has corrected these weaknesses.”
Heifner faces an arraignment March 28.