Traffic clerk accused swiping fine money

Nearly $20,000 in traffic fine money is missing in Port Barre and its theft is linked to a traffic clerk who was to retrieve the money from the Port Barre Police Department daily, St. Landry Parish Sheriff Bobby Guidroz reported in a news release today.
Arrested is Nicholle Renne Duff, 42, of the 300 block of Palm Street, Port Barre.
Duff is charged with 32 counts of felony theft, malfeasance in office, and two counts of injuring public records.
St. Landy Parish Sheriff’s Office detectives were contacted on May 17 by Toria Comeaux, Port Barre town clerk, about the a theft of money.
An internal review indicated Duff collected bond money between Oct. 7, 2015, to May 2, totaling $24,079 dollars, Guidoz said.
Bank records and signed spreadsheets indicated Duff deposited $4,332 and could not account for the missing $19,747, he ssaid.
Reportedly Duff failed to follow the proper procedures and internal controls that are in place to retrieving and depositing the money from fines and related arrests, Guidroz said.
Her bail was set at $31,000.