Date:   July 21, 2010
Location:   Simpson County Justice Center
Agencies:   Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) and Franklin Police
Officers:   Lt. Art McFadden
Suspect:   Stacie Leigh Duke
   AKA:   Stacie Leigh Canler
             Stacie Leigh Thompson

Address: 519 Meadowlawn Drive
             Franklin, KY 42134
Age: 30  Sex:F  Race:  White
Charges:   Theft by Unlawful Taking Over $10,000, -1 count - Class C Felony

On 07/02/2010 Franklin Police was notified by AOC that they had been conducting an investigation regarding missing funds from the Simpson County Circuit Court Clerks Office located in the Simpson County Justice Center .  The initial investigation revealed a discrepancy of approximately $22,791.00 since 05/14/2009.  The joint investigation determined that Stacie Duke, an employee as a bookkeeper, had allegedly taken the funds.  During the course of the investigation it was revealed that Ms. Duke had been allegedly taking funds illegally for approximately three years.

A Simpson County Grand Jury returned an indictment of Theft by Unlawful Taking-Over $10,000,-1 count-Class C Felony on July 19, 2010.  A Indictment warrant was issued on July 20, 2010 and a bond was set by Judge Castlen in the amount of $10,000.

Lt. McFadden stated: “This is another example of why there needs to be checks and balances in every financial situation involving public or private funds.  Too many times good and honest people are put in precarious positions with large sums of money.  Without proper checks and balances, unfortunately sometimes good people do bad things.”

Update 07/26/2010:
Stacie Duke was taken into custody by the Bowling Green Police Department from the Medical Center of Bowling Green.  Ms. Duke was transported by the Simpson County Sheriff's department to the Simpson County Detention Center.  Ms. Duke was released after a $10,000 cash bond was posted.