Koochiching County’s former jail administrator is facing felony charges after allegedly embezzling from a county jail fund.
Timothy Wade Milette, 38, resigned last month after a county audit revealed that a cash drawer in his office was missing more than $270, according to court documents. He was charged last week in State District Court with two counts of theft of public funds.
Milette, who became jail administrator in May 2014, resigned from the position last month amid an investigation.
Authorities said Milette admitted to taking money from a petty cash drawer that was kept in his office at the jail.
The county’s treasurer reported to the sheriff’s office that an audit was conducted on Jan. 13. The drawer, which would normally contain $300 for miscellaneous expenses, was found to contain only $27.75, according to the criminal complaint. No receipts were found to explain the missing money.
When interviewed by investigators, Milette admitted that he gave $40 to his daughter for gas and took some additional money for other “random things like that,” according to the criminal complaint. He also stated that he was not trying to steal and had intended to replace the money.
Due to Koochiching County’s involvement in the case, Itasca County Attorney Jack Muhar is serving as a special prosecutor.
Milette is scheduled to make his first court appearance in International Falls on Monday.
