Retired Sheriff's Ofc. employee charged

ESCAMBIA COUNTY, Fla. (WALA) - Cathy Lister had more than 37 years of public service, 32 of those years with the Escambia County Sheriff's Office. She retired last Friday, and on her first week of retirement she was arrested.

"She was the person responsible for deposits to the bank for cash that comes into the Sheriff's Office through various sources, she was taking cash out of the transactions," said Lt. Ray Briggs.

Lister's replacement came in Monday and found the discrepancies.

"This is a transition time, we had an employee leaving and an employee taking over that position. That function was being performed and the new employee caught it," said Sheriff David Morgan.

Morgan said he assures the public the money was not taken out of the tax money collected to operate the Sheriff's Office. He said the office has identified money missing since 2008, but isn't sure about the time before that. Morgan said this is an ongoing investigation.

"There could be additional charges filed up to and including embezzlement, at this time she is charged with larceny," said Morgan.

Morgan said Lister was using two sets of books. She is accused of stealing more than $100,000.