Orlando, FL - Agents with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement arrest a public defender employee following grand theft charges.
61-year-old Cindy Jane Nigh served as a witness coordinator in the Public Defender's Office, 7th Judicial Circuit.
After agents in the Brevard Field Office launched an investigation after an employee conducted a review of expenditures and found that Nigh had arranged for so-called witnesses or victims to travel to Florida for trials.
But, the names submitted for travel expenses were not associated with any case.
During the investigation, agents found that Nigh used her position as a witness coordinator to purchase airline tickets, hotel stays and other travel related items by filing fraudulent vouchers with the Public Defender's office.
All transactions were used to cover the travel costs of some of Nigh's close friends and out-of-state relatives.
The scheme was found to have taken place between September of 2017 and October of 2018, totaling more than $9,000.
Nigh was arrested today (January 17th) and is currently in custody at Volusia County Jail.
According to FDLE, the State Attorney's Office, 7th Judicial Circuit, will prosecute.
