Commissioners say they opened investigation into clerk’s office bookkeeping after whistleblower complaint

A Jefferson County commissioner announced the board has opened a criminal investigation into the bookkeeping practices of an employee in the clerk’s office following a whistleblower complaint.

At the meeting, Unidentified Speaker 14 said, “In response to a whistleblower complaint, I am opening an investigation into the bookkeeping practices of an employee in the clerk's office.” The clerk (unnamed in the transcript) told the board her office would fully cooperate with investigators.

The commissioner also said departments may be asked to provide their own financial records for comparison with the employee’s records. The board then voted to enter executive session under statutory authority cited as “74‑206F” to discuss legal issues. After the executive session the board said there would be no immediate action and that the matter would proceed through legal channels.

The board did not provide additional public details about the specific allegations, the employee involved or a timeline for the inquiry. No vote or discipline was announced at the meeting.

The board’s statement and the clerk’s assurance were the only on‑record comments about the allegation at the session.