Alburnett’s former clerk charged in theft of city funds

Felony theft charges have been filed against Alburnett's former city clerk in the misappropriation of more than $100,000 in city funds.

Amber M. Franklin, 44, of Alburnett, made an initial appearance Friday on a charge of first-degree theft. She was released after signing a promise to make future court appearances.

The state auditor issued a report in October finding Franklin was responsible for $102,980 worth of improper disbursements and misappropriations from city funds.

Alburnett Mayor David Boesenberg said Franklin resigned her post in January 2010 after he asked her to research certified public accounting firms to audit for the city's finances.

After Franklin's resignation, city council members reviewed the city's books, finding records for transactions were scarce  and the records for fiscal year 2008 transactions were limited, according to the auditor's report. There were significantly more records available for fiscal year 2007 transactions.

The complaint filed against Franklin charges the theft occurred between Jan. 1, 2006, and Dec. 31, 2010.

According to the auditor's report Franklin paid herself $12,664 in unauthorized payroll and $2,709 for paid time off she wasn't entitled to receive and $48,812 for which there was no explanation or support. The audit also revealed improper disbursements of $6,071 of personal purchases Franklin made using the city's credit card and $6,852 of personal purchases made with the city's checking account. An additional $7,245 of checks were issued for petty cash.

Franklin also failed to deposit $174 of utility bills for her residence, and $12,555 of utility payments made by others which weren't properly deposited into the city's bank account.