BRYAN, Texas (AP) — A deputy clerk in a Central Texas county has been charged with pocketing about $18,000 in marriage license fees.
Brazos County Clerk Karen McQueen says all marriage licenses issued by Jaime Hines are valid.
Hines was arrested Tuesday on a charge of theft by a public servant. She's free on $5,000 bond.
The $72 license must be paid in cash. An audit began after another employee noticed Hines allegedly issued a license but no receipt.
McQueen says Hines was put on administrative leave Aug. 11 but will now be fired. McQueen told WTAW radio that Hines told her she took the money for three years and "once she started, she just couldn't stop."
The process to balance such funds has now been changed.
Hines wasn't immediately available for comment.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.
