Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-11-09
Vienna Aide Held
In $4,000 Theft
Mother of Five
Turns Self In;
Probe Goes On

A 29-year-old mother Of five
has been charged with the theft
of almost $4,000 II auto tag
fees collected last spring by the
town Of Vienna.
Fairfax County police last
night arrested Mrs. Norma Ma
RE Jefferies of 21l Moore ave-
nue. Sc. Vienna, after she had
turned herself in to Common
wealth's Attorney Ralph Louk
in the presence of her attorney.
Mr.. Louk said this morning
the investigation into the money
shortages is continuing" on
the basis Of statements given
by Mrs. Jeffries.
Mrs. Jeffries, who had been
employed by Vienna for about
eight years, was in charge Of
making the deposits on the
auto tag fees and funds col
lected for town services. Her
title was deputy clerk-treasurer.
Petty Cash Cited
Mr.. Louk said Mrs. Jeffries
used $5.400 of the auto tag
money ito buy some groceries"
and to replenish the petty cash
fund in the treasurer's office.
The young mother said she had
discovered a $500 shortage in
petty cash which she did not
create.
Mrs. Jeffries said she was re-
sponsible for the petty cash
fund and that was why she
felt she had to make up the
difference. Mr.. Louk stated.
According to Mr.. Louk, Mrs.
Jeffries also told of Exiting"
from the towns general fund
and from the water and sewer
fund.
Tells Of Replacement
She began to fall behind in
replacing the money she took
from these funds about the
first Of the year, her state
ment said. and part Of the
$5,400 went to make the funds
current"
Mr.. Louk indicated his in
veStigation now is being GEN.
tered on why there was a $500
shortage in the petty cash fund.
The Commonwealth's attor-
ney said Mrs. Jeffries called
Fairfax Attorney Roy A.
Swayze after the Vienna en-
ployes were asked to take poly
graph tests Thursday by Town
Manager Clay Herrell.
In telephone conversations
between Mr.. Louk and Mr..
Swayze, the latter said Mrs.
Jeffries refused to take the
polygraph test but would give
a statement to Mr.. Louk which
she did late yesterday. Her
arrest on the theft charge came
at 2 pm. in the courthouse.
Checks Are Recovered
A total Of $500 IN checks
and So in change was recov-
cred, Mr.. Lonk said. The
checks. each marked sfor de-
post only" were IN three en-
velopes Mr.. Swaye turned over
to the Commemorative attor-
ney.
Marked on the outside Of
each envelope was q date and
the amount Of money it orig
inally contained. Deposit slips
also were found in each en-
velope, Mr.. Louk said.
Mr.. Louk said the checks
would be released to Vienna
town officials as soon as pos
sible.
He also quoted Mrs. Jeffries
as saying in her statement
that she kept the envelopes in
her office desk from April Is
to the end of that month, dur
ing which time she took the
SIS, 400 in cash.
She later took the envelopes,
containing only the checks and
the silver, to her home, he said.
Mrs. Jeffries has been re-
leased on $4,000 property bond
for a hearing November 81.
Mrs. Jeffries is charged with
violating a State code section
under which a public officer
convicted of knowingly mis-
using or Incorporating or
disposing Of public funds other
than in accordance with the
law" may be sentenced from
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