Ex-Pike court clerk admits to theft in office

WAVERLY – A former clerk for the Pike County Clerk of Courts could be sentenced to three years of community control and ordered to pay back more than $22,000 after she pleaded guilty last week to a felony charge of theft in office.

Darla Smith, who was accused of taking $7,115 and illegally expending $265 in public money while serving as chief deputy clerk between July 2013 and December 2013, changed her plea to guilty Feb. 25. She is expected to be sentenced in April.

In addition to seeking more than $7,000 in restitution, the clerk of courts is asking that Smith repay the cost of the $15,500 special audit that helped expose her alleged wrongdoing, said special prosecutor Robert Smith, assistant chief legal counsel for the auditor of state's office.

The court only has the authority to order Smith to repay the cost of the audit if she is placed on community control, he said.

According to the audit reports, state officials found Smith took the money, which was to be used to pay court costs and fees, but stopped short of saying she diverted the funds into her own accounts. The audit said the money was "collected, but unaccounted for."

Smith, a resident of Piketon, was fired in January 2014.

Pike County Prosecutor Rob Junk sought help with the investigation and prosecution from the auditor of state's office because he and his employees regularly worked with Smith, who handled criminal cases in her position as chief deputy clerk.