Former Phenix City Librarian Sentenced for Theft

A 30-year veteran of the Phenix City–Russell County (Ala.) Public Library was sentenced to four years in prison May 10 and ordered to repay the $70,000 she admitted stealing from the library. Former Director Irma H. Duke was fired in June 2004 after a citywide audit turned up major discrepancies in the library’s budget.

Russell County Assistant District Attorney Buster Landreau said in the May 11 Columbus (Ga.) Ledger-Enquirer that Duke routinely wrote herself two paychecks instead of one, used library funds to pay for cell phones for herself and two children, bought one child a sewing machine, and used library credit cards to purchase personal items.

Circuit Court Judge Al Johnson sentenced Duke after attorneys reached a plea agreement that avoided a jury trial.

Posted May 13, 2005.