DPS Employee Accused Of Stealing

A Department of Public Safety employee has been accused of stealing thousands of dollars from her office. State Police Spokesperson Lt Doug Cain says 30 year old Lashunda Fleming of Baton Rouge was arrested yesterday.(the investigation determined Fleming illegally diverted over $12,000 from the DPS into her personal bank account) Cain says the missing money was discovered by supervisors in November who quickly asked for an internal audit which revealed nearly 20 fraudulent transactions. He says the information was forwarded to state police for a criminal investigation. Cain says Fleming was booked into East Baton Rouge Parish Prison on charges of felony theft and malfeasance in office. He says she resigned from her position and DPS will seek restitution from her for the misappropriated funds. Cain says this was "disturbing" because the DPS prides itself on earning trust from the public.