Whitwell library spending questioned; director indicted on theft charges

Crime
Crime

The director of the Orena Humphreys Public Library in Whitwell has been indicted on theft charges, and investigators raised additional concerns about library spending.

Marilyn Frazier was indicted Feb. 5 by a Marion County Grand Jury after allegedly stealing at least $3,600 from the library, according to a release from Tennessee Comptroller Justin Wilson. The library received reimbursement funds for various expenditures, but they were never deposited into the library's checking account, according to the release.

"This investigation has revealed many deficiencies in the operations of the Orena Humphreys Library," wrote Wilson. "Most notably, the library operated with little management oversight, and the library did not have a policy governing how money was to be collected and spent."

Some donations to the library were never deposited and library money was allegedly spent to purchase food and cigarettes.

More than $2,000 was used without adequate supporting documentation, according to the release. These funds included cash withdrawals, donations, employee reimbursements, charges for gas and additional purchases.

Frazier also created at least eight invoices on behalf of vendors to support library expenditures, which is not allowed.

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