A former city clerk is accused of embezzling more than $131,000 from Elgin cumulatively between 2017 to 2021.

Rhonda Faye Dales, 62, of Clermont, is charged in Fayette County District Court with first-degree theft (Class C felony). Her initial court appearance is scheduled for 9 a.m. April 12, at the county courthouse in West Union.

According to a news release, the Sheriff’s Office completed its investigation on March 7. The Fayette County Attorney’s Office turned over the investigation to the sherif after the State Auditor completed a report requested by the city of Elgin after City Clerk Rhonda Faye Dales was terminated.

The criminal complaint says: “The Defendant while employed by the city of Elgin as the City Clerk, did improperly do disbursements by payroll, unsupported claims, unauthorized reimbursements in the amount of $131,212.73 Dollars. The defendant was fired from her employment with the City of Elgin on May 17th, 2021 and at that time it was voted on to have the state auditor do an official audit of the books and money the defendant controlled up to the date she was terminated. The state of Iowa auditor, Rob Sand conducted the audit and finished it on March 2, 2023. The audit investigation report showed that the Defendant had improper disbursements, unsupported disbursements and unauthorized payroll in the amount of $131,212.73.”