Former Delcambre billing clerk arrested, charged with theft of at least $35,000

DELCAMBRE — Deputies with the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office arrested former Delcambre billing clerk Lela Gayle Stelly Monday morning for her alleged connection to funds missing from the town.
Stelly is charged with stealing at least $35,000. Stelly, 57, of Delcambre, worked as the town’s billing clerk from May of 2008 until she resigned in November of 2013, according to Delcambre Mayor Carol Broussard.
The arrest came after two investigations, one by the sheriff’s office, and the other by Delcambre’s town accountant, Mike Broussard. Each investigation showed $35,000 as the missing amount.
State Legislative Auditor Daryl Purpera’s office released last week that the town lost more than $62,000 in utility bill and property tax revenues through misappropriation of the funds by a former town employee.
That finding is the result of an audit by the accounting firm of Kolder, Champagne, Slaven and Co., LLC of Abbeville. The report covers the fiscal year ending April 30, 2013. In its report, the accounting firm said that up to $44,800 in collections may have been misappropriated during the fiscal year that ended April 30, 2013. Additionally, approximately $18,000 may have been taken between April 30 and November of 2013.
District Attorney Mike Harson told KATC that Stelly will be charged with theft of at least $35,000 from Delcambre. Harson said that if further information comes to light that shows the alleged theft was more than $35,000, Stelly’s charge will be amended accordingly.