WASHINGTON CO. COMMISSIONERS TO DISCUSS TREASURER’S OFFICE PROCEDURES FOLLOWING ARREST OF EMPLOYEE ON CREDIT CARD FRAUD

  

Policies and procedures for the Washington County treasurer’s office will soon be discussed in commissioners court amid accusations of a now-former county employee making unauthorized purchases with a county credit card.

Commissioner Kirk Hanath on Tuesday requested an item on an upcoming court agenda to review how the treasurer’s office conducts business.  This comes after last month’s arrest of Lisa Michelle Grebe, who was released from her position as a deputy clerk in the treasurer’s office after a sheriff’s office investigation found she allegedly used a county credit card to make over $3,000 in purchases at a local business and in another Texas city.

Hanath said he expects the investigation to include an audit of the treasurer’s office and wants to ensure an act like this does not happen again. 

Speaking to KWHI after Tuesday’s meeting, Hanath said the court has a fiduciary duty to address this misuse of public dollars.  He said the planned discussion will go over how the treasurer’s office is currently operating and what changes it plans to make. 

County Treasurer Peggy Kramer told commissioners during the meeting that the policy information being requested will not be ready by next week’s meeting, but should be prepared for the week after that.  She said as her office is working with one person short, it is more difficult to handle tasks outside of everyday responsibilities.  Kramer has not responded to KWHI’s request for further comment at this time. 

Washington County District Attorney Julie Renken said the case has not been referred yet to her office.  When it is received, the case will be presented to a grand jury to consider returning an indictment. 

Jail records show that Grebe bonded out on the same day she was arrested for Credit or Debit Card Abuse.  Her bond had been set by Justice of the Peace Harold Riddle at $5,000.