Authorities say a woman who oversaw finances for the former Show Low Fire District embezzled nearly $1.8 million over several years.
A report from the Arizona Office of the Auditor General released Wednesday detailed the allegations against Natalie Cluff based on a probe that was launched in 2012.
The auditor accused Cluff of illegally issuing 474 checks totaling $1,794,594. She used it for retail purchases, withdrawals, debt and for her siblings, the auditor's statement said. Cluff also submitted fake audits, the report said.
The money came from taxpayers and should have gone toward district operations for fire protection and preservation of life, according to the auditor's statement.
A Navajo County grand jury recently indicted her on 21 felony counts related to theft, misuse of public monies, fraudulent schemes, computer tampering, forgery, and false filing, the statement said. An arraignment was scheduled for Monday in Navajo County Superior Court.
Cluff's high-ranking position granted her access to the district's finances, including preparing payroll, overseeing accounts, reconciling bank and credit-card statements, and budgeting, the auditor's report said.
Her father, former Show Low Fire District Chief Ben Owens Sr., also is accused of financial crimes.