UPDATE: Madison Emergency Management Director Resigns

MADISON COUNTY, Ky. (WTVQ)- Madison County Emergency Management Director Carl Richards has resigned. Richards was suspended after an internal investigation reportedly found that over nine years time, a county worker had stolen $341,000 from the county. Officials say he has now stepped down from his position, effective immediately.

The county’s former bookkeeper for the Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program, Tamara Phelps, is accused of forging purchase orders. Investigators believe she was obtaining the items to either sell or keep for herself.

Richards is not accused of knowing about this or profiting from the alleged theft. But the county judge-executive criticized Richards for not being on top of what was happening in his department.

Officials say a national search to fill the EMA director position will begin immediately.