MEMPHIS, TN – Shelby County District Attorney Bill Gibbons announced Thursday that the state Grand Jury for Shelby County indicted a former employee in the Register of Deed’s office on theft and official misconduct charges.
The Grand Jury indicted Regina Daniel, 50, for theft of property over $1,000, theft of property over $500, and official misconduct. Daniel, who has been terminated from the Register’s office, is accused of stealing funds from the office and from a law firm that dealt with the Register’s office.
According to the indictment, between September 17, 2008 and January 26, 2009, Daniel knowingly obtained a sum of money over $1,000 from the Register’s office. The indictment also claims between September 25, 2008 and January 2009, Daniel knowingly obtained a sum of money over $500 from Fearnley and Califf PLLC.
Daniel has been released on a $5,000 bond. An arraignment date has been set for September 1.
The indictment against Daniel is the result of an investigative audit conducted by the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office Division of Municipal Audit. The audit was requested by the D.A.’s office following a referral from the Register’s office.
“It is unfortunate that Ms. Daniel violated her position of trust by taking money that did not belong to her,” Comptroller Justin P. Wilson said. “I commend our Division of Municipal Audit for its role in uncovering her activities. Our department is committed to eliminating fraud, waste and abuse in governments and other affiliated organizations throughout our state.”
The Comptroller's report can be found at http://www.comptroller1.state.tn.us/RA_MA/.
“As soon as the Register of Deeds notified us about possible misconduct in the office, we requested the audit. The Register’s office has been totally cooperative throughout this process,” said District Attorney Gibbons.
Theft of property over $1,000 is a class D felony, for which the standard sentence is 2 – 4 years. Theft of property over $500 and official misconduct are class E felonies, for which the standard sentence is 1 – 2 years.
This case is being prosecuted by the District Attorney’s Public Corruption and Economic Crime Prosecution Unit.