The Examiner
By Dannie Oliveaux
Tuesday, July 23, 2024
A former city
secretary for the city of Kountze has been indicted, turned herself in to local authorities on July 16.
The Hardin County District Clerk's Office reported Sonja Wilson Arline, 57, was indicted June 27 by a Hardin County grand jury for one count of theft of property, $2,500 to $30,000 and for one count of forgery of financial instrument.
According to the Hardin
County Sheriff's Office, Arline surrendered to authorities and bail was set at $15,000 – $7,500 for each charge.
According to the indictment, on March 30, 2023, Arline executed in writing a check for $2,312, but it was not authorized by Mayor Fred Williams. She also unlawfully appropriated, by acquiring or exercising control over property, namely money, from the city of Kountze, stated the indictment.
During an Aug. 28, 2023 special meeting of the city council, the body voted 3-0 to terminate City Administrator Rodney Hutto, who had served the post since 2004.
Hutto pointed to the questionable legality of an invoice reportedly approved by three council members – former Alderwoman Kim Price, Alderwoman Andrea Cutwright and Alderman Glenn Matthews – for Arline to pay herself a $2,312 check
for 68 hours of unused vacation.
“The personnel policy states use it or lose it,” Hutto claimed. “I’ve been city administrator for nearly 20 years and we’ve never paid anyone for unused vacation time. These three council members got together to approve to pay her for unused vacation time because it’s against personnel policy and three council members can’t discuss any city issues unless at a meeting. They violated the Open
Meeting Act.”
Hutto reported Matthews signed the check and Arline stamped Mayor Fred Williams’ signature on the check, which didn’t even hold back taxes.
“Matthews has never ever signed a check for the city of Kountze,” Hutto added. "Just this one.
The check made out to Arline was invoiced and
issued March 30, 2023.
In 2018, Arline's annual wage was $30,000 as accounts payable clerk for the city, according to GovSalaries.com.