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Arrested: Clerk accused of stealing traffic ticket payments, other funds

6 years 6 months 5 days ago Friday, September 22 2017 Sep 22, 2017 September 22, 2017 2:23 PM September 22, 2017 in Crime
Source: WBRZ

NEW ROADS- City of New Roads Accounts Clerk Willie Scott Woods is facing serious felony charges, accused of stealing money from traffic tickets and rental payments for the city's Civic Center.

The WBRZ Investigative Unit learned of Woods' arrest Friday.

According to an affidavit for his arrest filed by the Louisiana Attorney General, Woods padded his pockets to the tune of $8,763.50 from January of 2017 until July of 2017.

The affidavit states, "Willie Woods accepted the fines for [traffic tickets] and printed a paid receipt for them. Woods then entered a voided transaction in the City of New Roads computer. This action allowed Woods to take the money from his cash drawer and show that were was no money missing from the account."

Investigators said Woods stole $6,213.50 from the collection of traffic tickets and $2,550 from the collection of rental fees and deposits for the Civic Center. Altogether, the combined total amounts to $8,763.50.

On August 8, 2017, Agents with the State Attorney General's Office interviewed Woods. Woods admitted to stealing money from the accounts, WBRZ learned.

Woods faces charges of malfeasance in office, computer fraud, and felony theft. 

He was booked into the Pointe Coupee Parish Prison on Wednesday, September 20 and posted an $8,000 bail. The WBRZ Investigative Unit has learned Woods was terminated by the City of New Roads.

Residents in New Roads called this case embarrassing and said it highlights the need for change. 

"I think it's pretty hypocritical on the mayor's part," New Roads resident and attorney Cy D'Aquila said. "He's under indictment for doing the same thing this guy just got fired for. What does that show the citizens of New Roads?"

New Roads Mayor Robert Myer is currently under indictment, accused of using city credit cards for personal use. From January of 2011 until December of 2014, Myer charged a total of $165,777 to his New Roads credit card. He wrote $9,527 back in reimbursements for his personal purchases, but investigators said he still owes over $2,000 for purchases he charged to taxpayers that he never paid for. 

His trial is scheduled for next year. 

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