Tax worker charged with theft in office

Associated Press

COLUMBUS

A former employee of the Ohio Department of Taxation has been indicted on charges alleging the theft of tax overpayments.

The state alleges Kathleen Hyre took nine money orders submitted by taxpayers to the department where Hyre was a tax commissioner agent. Ohio’s inspector general says Hyre allegedly altered the money orders to be payable to her and deposited them into her personal accounts.

The inspector general says a Franklin County grand jury indicted the 44-year-old Hyre Thursday on single counts of theft in office and tampering with records and nine forgery counts.

The taxation department contacted the inspector general in February after noting suspicious financial transactions.

Court records didn’t list an attorney for Hyre, who resigned in July, and her phone couldn’t accept messages Friday.