ROSE CITY, Texas — The Texas Rangers and the Orange County District Attorney are investigating an alleged misappropriation of funds in the city budget in Rose City.
The mayor of Rose City, Bonnie Stephenson, requested assistance from the Texas Rangers, Texas Department of Public Safety Sgt. Stephanie Davis said in a news release.
The rangers will be working with the Orange County District Attorney’s office to conduct the investigation, according to the release.
The release went on to say that because the investigation is active, Texas DPS would not be releasing more information at this time.
An interim city secretary has been appointed in Rose City while the investigation is ongoing.
Dora Tarbox was named as the news interim city secretary. Tonya Veazey, who had been the city secretary until last week, has declined to comment in the middle of the investigation.
City Marshal Ken Bost previously confirmed the Texas Rangers are involved July 16 and said he could not comment further.
This is not the first time a Rose City secretary has been accused of misappropriation of funds.
Former city secretary Veronica Grant was arrested May 16, 2013 in Jefferson County, charged with embezzling between $100,000 and $200,000 in city funds going back to 2011. She was fired in August 2012.
READ MORE | Concerns of corruption in Rose City following embezzlement arrest
Grant was sentenced to 8 years in the Texas state jail January 9, 2014, court documents state. She was released on parole April 20, 2017, according to Texas Department of Criminal Justice records.
12News will continue to ask investigators for updates in this case.
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