TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) – A former employee of the Tucson Museum of Art is under investigation in connection with the theft of more than $300,000 from the institute.

Investigators with Tucson police and the Arizona Attorney General’s Office have records showing the employee, who was not identified, forged and cashed 209 checks to the museum totaling $323,356 over a 2 1/2-year period ending in November, according to a police affidavit.

The checks ranged from $600 to $1,900 and were cashed at two check-cashing businesses, according to the affidavit.
Investigators removed documents, bank statements, a computer, credit cards, casino players’ cards, receipts and cash from the employee’s home when they searched it Thursday, Assistant police Chief Roberto Villasenor.

He said the employee had worked for the museum in a financial capacity for 18 years and resigned late last year.
Villasenor said the museum contacted police on Dec. 17 after realizing that between $200,000 and $300,000 was missing.

Robert Knight, the museum’s executive director, said in a statement that the museum discovered the discrepancy during a full, independent audit of its books.

“The museum is confident that its supporters will understand that the organization – and by extension the community it serves – were the victims of a crime,” he wrote. “However, the museum is financially healthy and will not be deterred in continuing to provide quality art exhibitions and public programs to Southern Arizona.”

The museum is best known for its “Art of the American West” collection, which includes several notable pre-Columbian works.

In its 2007-08 annual report, the museum reported revenues of about $3,238,000 and expenses of $3,222,000.
Board of Trustees President Robert Clark wrote in the report that the museum’s future “is certainly bright with opportunities,” but “much of it hinges on money.”

“Financial stability is, and has always been, a major goal,” he wrote, adding that the board would continue “to make carefully considered business decisions.”

Neither he nor other board members could be reached for comment Friday.
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Information from: Arizona Daily Star, http://www.azstarnet.com

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AP-WS-01-24-09 1447EST